Emergent behavior

In metaphorical terms, an emergent behavior is like a perfect storm. Such storms can never be predicted. They are complex and rare occurrences and are unique outcomes of several basic and interrelated phenomena, such as wind speed, humidity, solar output, and water temperature, all happening simultaneously. In addition, one can never really predict what will happen as a result of the storm. The emergent behavior of a storm could be a new shoreline or waterway, or it could be the displacement of an entire population. Whatever the case, an entirely new quality, or reality, is formed. 

An emergent behavior is always a product of a qualitative or revolutionary change driven by a unique combination of individual contributing phenomena. It can be described by the following three factors  

If we want to recreate an emerging behavior, a holistic understanding of the contributing phenomena is necessary. In our storm example, we would need to know the exact wind speed, temperature, solar output, and so on. 

---

So what does the list of basic properties of a LG necessary to yield an emergent behavior consistent with the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations look like Such... 

Fig. 11.13 Illustration of how mobile CA (here used to model elementary combat ) can be used to explore the relationship between primitive rules governing behavior on the micro-scale and emergent behavior on the macro-scale see text.

Inspired by characteristic features of the emergent behavior in complex systems and CA that we have examined in this book, we therefore suggest the following two axioms to augment those already subsumed in conventional physics ... 

H1188] Hillis, D., Intelligence as an Emergent Behavior or. The Songs of Eden, Daedalus 117 (1988) 175-189. 

Ostrander, G.K., J.J. Anderson, J.P. Fisher, M.L. Landolt, and R.M. Kocan. 1990. Decreased performance of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss emergence behaviors following embryonic exposure to benzo[a]pyrene. U.S. Fish. Bull. 88 551-555. 

The power of pheromones to act as agents of emergent behavior is perhaps nowhere better exemplified than by the ants. The termites, another highly successful group of social insects, provides a comparably compelling story. However, let s move on to communication by pheromones in mammals. 

Gradually, virtual cities will emerge and flourish around the Arch. Thousands will congregate to engage in creative activity and study emergent behavior. The rc/z will break the barriers of time and distance, and permit unprecedented growth and opportunity. 

The effect of a single preoperative dose of the opioid oxycodone on emergence behavior has been studied in a randomized trial in 130 children (294). Oxycodone prophylaxis, compared with no premedication, significantly reduced the incidence of post-halothane agitation. 

What are the lessons from this experience First, that green chemistry and other reductionist approaches, while often quite valuable, must be understood at the context of the modem globalized economy, where chemical and material science innovations can rapidly expand to a scale where fundamental natural systems can be impacted. In other words, it is inadequate to consider systemic effects only at a small scale rather, we must learn to explore potential impacts at all scales, including emergent behaviors at very large scales that may be completely unanticipated. We must also learn to consider the relevant systems as a whole, not jsut as particular interests or academic disciplines dictate. Bluntly put, it s the system, stupid. Secondly, the story does not end with the successful commercial implementation of a material or chemical innovation. Rather, we must learn to dialog with these... 

The emergentist s special science laws are fundamental in that the behavior they describe is not determined to occur by more general laws. The very general laws of mechanics retain their special status, for they retain their applicability to the systems whose emergent behavior they fail to determine completely. 

---