A Hitchhiker’s Guide to Complexity

The following event might be of interest to SotonDH members:
The next seminar of the CS4: Complex Systems Simulation Seminar Series 2012/13 will take place 30th January. Rachel Armstrong from the University of Greenwhich will give the talk “A Hitchhiker’s Guide to Complexity”, 4-5pm, B53/4025, Highfield Campus. Details of Rachel’s talk can be found here.

As a teaser you can also see Rachel’s TED talk in 2009.

Abstract

“This talk offers a multi-disciplinary view of complexity from the perspective of an informed amateur – an ideas hitchhiker – curating concepts relevant to its philosophical, technological and cultural importance. These ideas are co-ordinates for a hitchhiker’s map that provokes discussion about the theory, method and application of complex systems in addressing cultural agendas and how they may work as a counter point to prevalent practices. Of particular interest is how complexity may offer alternative technological systems to machines, which shape our Modern era. Although complexity is still an emerging practice and not a ‘cure-all’ to the significant challenges that we face this century, it may offer a point of reflection on the processes that underpin human development – to identify opportunities where the interests of humanity and the environment may be one and the same – say for example, by considering the Earth to be a giant ‘natural’ supercomputer.”

All CS4 talks are free and refreshments will be provided from 5pm. No registration is required. For videos of previous talks and details of future talks please visit the CS4 website.