Studying Complex Social Systems

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Abstract

k.</p><figure id="46d9"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*Kya3x2lDKW7Nt338r9ITjw.png"><figcaption>Running the model, see the agents (birds) arrange themselves in flocks. The flocks are emergent properties. Picture by John Rose.</figcaption></figure><p id="2725">Triangles represent bird, Each bird follows same rules, Birds interact and flocks emerge, Birds “leading” flocks cannot be predicted, Neither number of flocking birds nor shape of flocks can be predicted.</p><p id="8033">Characterises complex system, <a href="https://necsi.edu/emergence">Emergence</a> (flocking) cannot be described in terms of individual components (birds) interacting, By changing initial conditions you can influence emergence, Have a go!</p><p id="51fd">Normally ask students to follow tutorial and experiment, You can do the same plenty of information for you to play with.</p><h2 id="f789">Lot to Think About.</h2><p id="6e40">medium.com is small part of interconnected web, Interactions of publication memberships writers readers editors and external parties result in emergent behaviours rather like flocking model, Unpredictable results, Tinkering by administrators

Options

mostly hit and miss.</p><p id="f554">World’s ecosystems multiple levels of interactions and feed-back loops, Human activities upsetting balance, Like our simple flocking model impossible to predict weather patterns and other behaviours, Mostly we just record droughts and floods using words like unprecedented.</p><h2 id="d4ec">Where to now possibilities?</h2><p id="94de">I use models to try and understand complex systems Offer advice by making changes to model’s rules and observing behaviours, Include AI components where appropriate, Systems run simulations and I compare predictions with actual performances.</p><p id="ae90">Thought it would be interesting to model Illumination publications, Take some time to get something workable, Need to experiment in “learn by doing” exercises, Just like playing with flocking model but in greater depth and detail.</p><p id="4e40">Along the way we can dispel some myths but small steps first.</p><p id="642a">My project is “Studying Complex Social Systems”, Not good with marketing fluff, Intend publishing regular reports with ideas for investigating and thinking about, This is just a start.</p><p id="5fa8">Blessed be.</p></article></body>

Learning and exploring Complex Systems using Netlogo.

Netlogo running the Flocking model. Picture by John Rose.

Normally explain complex systems starting with dusty definitions, Filled with nice long engineering terms and words, Students sleep.

Thought to explain learning by doing exploring working complex model, Netlogo version 6.3.0 download and install, Run Netlogo 6.3.0, Next step choose flocking model.

Choose the Flocking model and click Open. Screenshot by John Rose.

Flocking model is ready to run, Just click “setup” to initialise as shown in article’s picture, Then click “go”, Click “go” to stop at any time after enjoying watching birds flock.

Running the model, see the agents (birds) arrange themselves in flocks. The flocks are emergent properties. Picture by John Rose.

Triangles represent bird, Each bird follows same rules, Birds interact and flocks emerge, Birds “leading” flocks cannot be predicted, Neither number of flocking birds nor shape of flocks can be predicted.

Characterises complex system, Emergence (flocking) cannot be described in terms of individual components (birds) interacting, By changing initial conditions you can influence emergence, Have a go!

Normally ask students to follow tutorial and experiment, You can do the same plenty of information for you to play with.

Lot to Think About.

medium.com is small part of interconnected web, Interactions of publication memberships writers readers editors and external parties result in emergent behaviours rather like flocking model, Unpredictable results, Tinkering by administrators mostly hit and miss.

World’s ecosystems multiple levels of interactions and feed-back loops, Human activities upsetting balance, Like our simple flocking model impossible to predict weather patterns and other behaviours, Mostly we just record droughts and floods using words like unprecedented.

Where to now possibilities?

I use models to try and understand complex systems Offer advice by making changes to model’s rules and observing behaviours, Include AI components where appropriate, Systems run simulations and I compare predictions with actual performances.

Thought it would be interesting to model Illumination publications, Take some time to get something workable, Need to experiment in “learn by doing” exercises, Just like playing with flocking model but in greater depth and detail.

Along the way we can dispel some myths but small steps first.

My project is “Studying Complex Social Systems”, Not good with marketing fluff, Intend publishing regular reports with ideas for investigating and thinking about, This is just a start.

Blessed be.