integer on Wed, 29 Aug 2001 02:20:14 +0200 (CEST) |
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[Nettime-bold] [ot] [!nt] \n2+0\ !l!terat neuronz lern 2 read |
To understand the phenomenon of self-organization, we first need to understand the importance of pattern. The idea of a pattern of organization--a configuration of relationships characteristic of a particular system-- became the explicit focus of cybernetics and has been a crucial concept ever since. From the systems point of view, the understanding of life begins with the understanding of pattern. Is there a pattern of organization common to all living systems? This is the case. Its most important property is that it is a network pattern. Whenever we view life, we view networks; intricate patterns of intertwined webs, networks nesting within larger networks, like russian dolls. The first and most obvious property of any network is its non-linearity--it extends in all directions. Thus the relationships in a network pattern are nonlinear relationships. An influence or message may travel along a cyclical path, which may become a feedback loop. Because networks of communication may generate feedback loops, they can acquire the ability to regulate themselves and self-organize. Self-organization has emerged as the central concept in the systems view of life, and like the concepts of feedback and self-regulation it is linked closely to networks. The pattern of life is a network capable of self-organization. The concept of self-organization emerged over half a century ago yet ... /_/ / \ \/ i should like to be a human plant \/ __ __/ i will shed leaves in the shade \_\ because i like stepping on bugs *--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*-- Netochka Nezvanova nezvanova@eusocial.com http://www.eusocial.com http://www.biohakc.com http://www.ggttctttat.com/! beautiful + tall http://steim.nl/leaves/petalz *--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*-- --*--*--*--*--*--*-- _______________________________________________ Nettime-bold mailing list Nettime-bold@nettime.org http://www.nettime.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/nettime-bold