4 ms·
Well I was hoping for something more developed. I thought about this stuff too, fractals seem like a good explanation for complex systems. There seems to be a
by Detrus 16y ago
Well I was hoping for something more developed. I thought about this stuff too, fractals seem like a good explanation for complex systems.
There seems to be a fractal pattern in how people behave that reflects the pattern of how neurons behave. Neurons silence each other as much as they connect to each other. The loudest neurons, the ones that can silence the most neighboring neurons and connect to more distant loud neurons have the biggest effect on the output. Groups are organized in a similar way. Then groups compete with other groups by trying to silence each other and connect to other successful groups. First a tribe will absorb its nearest neighbors, then reach out to distant tribes.
Also vaguely remember scientists measuring a rain-forest in the Amazon, the thickness of the branches was proportional to thickness of the trunks, which was proportional to the density of the forest. Something useful along those lines.
- knowaveragejoe 16y agoYour last point is very interesting, any more information on this research?
- Detrus 16y agoIt was from here http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/physics/hunting-hidden-dimension.html http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/physics/hunting-hidden-dimensio... Summary from http://thethinkingmother.blogspot.com/2010/02/fractals-hunting-hidden-dimension.html http://thethinkingmother.blogspot.com/2010/02/fractals-hunti... "Another story of interest was that the tallest tree in a rainforest was studied. Measurements were taken of its trunk and branches and the fractal geometry calculations were in alignment with its size of growth. Of further interest was the same mathematical computation matched the design of the whole rainforest, the spread of the other trees, the smaller trees, the width and size of the forest was all in alignment with the fractal geometry computation. The scientists also gathered samples from the leaves to check CO2 content and the point was to calculate the effect of the rainforest had in relation to global warming. The idea that fractal geometry is being used by environmentalists and scientists on the issue of climate was fascinating to us."
- jerf 16y agohttp://lesswrong.com/lw/iv/the_futility_of_emergence/ http://lesswrong.com/lw/iv/the_futility_of_emergence/ =~ s/emergent/fractal/g