The documentary film with the same title is absolutely explosive.

Using board games and ant colonies as a spring board, Holland demonstrates how simple rules can generate tremendous complexity. "Despite the limited reportoire of the individual agents - the ants - the colony exhibits a remarkable flexibility in probing and exploiting its surroundings. Somehow the simple laws of the agents generate an emergent behavior far beyond their individual capacities. It is noteworthy that this emergent behavior occurs without direction by a central executive." This is the logic Holland lays out with clarity and with cool. He instructs us to watch for:

• "mechanisms (building blocks, generators, agents) and perpetual novelty (very large numbers of generated configurations)
• dynamics and regularities (persistent, recurring structures or patterns in generated configurations)
• hierarchical organization (configurations of generators become generators at a higher level of organizations)." (p. 9)

Interaction is the key to emergence as Holland describes it. A chief feature of the book is the complete lack of all mysticism which sometimes is brought in once "emergence" is discussed. Holland presents sort of a "reductionist" view of emergence in which we "reduce explanations to the interactions of simple parts" (p. 8). This is a striking and insightful move by Holland: "Reduction has been repeatedly examined in philosophy, and sometimes in the other humanities, but its connection to rule-governed emergence has not been a facet of these examinations" (p. 8).

The book demonstartes how simple rules (such as rules of chess) and simple constitutive elements (such as the different pawns of chess), when interactive over a perior of time, give rise to an astonishing number of alternatives and potential outcomes. This takes mysticism away from the phenomenon of emergence - a wellcome outcome. At the same time Holland's down-to-earth yet subtle description suggests we should be more excited to look for new combinations and patterns of interaction even among simple and familiar constituents of our own field of action.

Holland instructs us to think in terms of models. We use models all the time, Holland stresses, but very often unconciously (uses of rules of thumb being an example). One useful model is a game. Consider this explosive line of though:

"All in all, games are more bushes than trees. The number of leaves (ending configurations) grow very rapidly, even when the branching process is simple. Indeed, it is this bushiness that provides the fascination and unpredictability of games. Consider a board game in which there are ten possible moves (branches) from each configuration (state), including the initial configuration. If the game terminates after two moves, there are 10 x 10 = 10² = 100 distinct ways of playing the game. If the game terminates after ten moves, there are 10¹⁰ = 10,000,000,000 ways of playing the game. Termination after fifty moves - a lenght and number of oppositions roughly equivalent to chess - yields 10⁵⁰ ways of playing the game, a number which substantially exceeds the number of atoms in the whole of our planet Earth." (p. 37)

Here are some key concepts to look for when considering emergence along the holladian lines:

Building blocks. "Much that is bound up in the concept of a building block is captured by the technical definition of a generator, but the aura of meaning that surrounds this concept is considerably larger. Building blocks range from mechanisms in physics to the way we parse the environment into familiar objects".

Models. "This is the concept most important to this study of emergence. The critical steps in constructing a model are selection of salient features (equivalence classes) and laws (generators and transition functions) governing the model's behavor. ... Emergence and innovation cannot be understood without a thorough understanding of models."

Agents. "Most systems that exhibit emergence can be modeled in terms of the interaction of agents. Agents, which can range from 'billiard balls' in a random interaction model to organisms that adapt and learn, offer the quickest route to building models that exhibit emergence." (p. 224-5)

The upshot is:

"Emergence occurs in systems that are generated. ... The whole is more than the sum of the parts in these generated systems. The interactions between parts are nonlinear, so the overall behavior cannot be obtained by summing the behaviors of the isolated components. Said another way, there are regularities in system behavor that are not revealed by direct inspection of the laws satisfied by the components. (p. 225)

John Holland is a top-of-the-line scientist. One thing that makes this book great is that the author does not fall into the trap of scientism and believe that science can prove science can prove everything. Consider the following magnificent words:

"It may be that the parts of the universe that we can understand in a scientific sense - the parts of the that we can describe via laws (axioms, equations) - constitute a small fragment of the whole. If that is so, then there may be aspects of emergence we cannot understand scientifically. Nevertheless, we already know that there are lawful fragments in which we can observe and explain emergence. It is those fragments with which I am concerned." (p. 231)

The Stanford professor writes lucidly and astonisingly personally, yet throughout arguing her case against solid research and explicitly identified sources. I know very few research based books where a first-rate scholar would so boldly step beyond the conventions of the academic discouse, use her learning with an air of warm optimism, and exercise fair judgment and high standard of analysis in order to conceptualize accessibly matters that touch us all. A brilliant piece of applied research that aims to make, and manages to make, a significant contribution in the realm of the truly relevant.

Dweck operates with the seemingly simple distinction between what she calls "the fixed mindset" and "the growth mindset".  The former focuses upon individual traits as thing-like entities that are fixed, and the latter upon the incremental change toward improvement. In a fixed mindset, "success is about proving you're smart or talented" and about validating yourself, about labels, blame and judgment - in a growth mindset, it's all about change, improvement, learning, growth and effort.

Reading the book forces me to realize I have been more fixed-minded than I have thought, not only in my self-appraisals but also in the implicit thoughts I have of other people, colleagues, loved ones, famous sports heros, leading artists and generally of life itself.

Dweck empowers her reader to grow, by articulating with clarity and wealth of evidence how easily we slip into non-growth in our thinking habits and therefore, in actual conduct of life.

This is one of those precious books you want your son or daughter to read. With this gem of wisdom Dweck has become one of my intellectual heroes.

For the more academic writings of Professor Dweck, see her homepages. You might particularly want to download her article "Finding 'Meaning' in Psychology" (from American Psychologist 2006) or take a look at the powerful page 247 of "Implicit Theories of Intelligence Predict Achievement".

A work by two distinguished economists, this excellent, well-written and engaging volume analyses "how human psychology drives the economy". The authors stress the role of stories, the significance of what they call "the confidence multiplier", as well as the working of beliefs, emotions, trust and fairness as key parameters that affect economic behaviours and the whole of economy.

The point is to focus upon the way we think as the fundamental constituting force of economic phenomena. "To understand how economics work and how we can manage them and prosper, we must pay attention to the thought patterns that animate people's ideas and feelings, their animal spirits. We will never really understand important economic events unless we confront the fact that their causes are largely mental in nature." (p. 1)

As a philosopher of life, convinced of the relevance of thinking for the conduct of life, I find the book extremely relevant, forceful and exciting. Socratic examined life requires examining one's thinking of economics and the meta thinking of mental models that drive us in economic decisions. It seems hard for me to imagine anyone reading this book without engaging in a fruitful self examination. (This includes people like business managers that consider themselves well informed on economics.)

Economics affects us, and not only in terms of providing us resources: it works from within us as modes of thinking and patterns of thought. Often that implies narrowing us down. Challenging the mainstream, the Akerlof and Shiller join forces with Amartya Sen and Edmund Phelps, the two greatest living economic thinkers, in provinding a humanly-tuned perspective on economics, one that is more realistic and relevant than the one supplied by the dominating models which are overshadowed by abstract assumptions of rationality. 

Joka uskoo tuntevansa Lenitan lukematta tätä kirjaa, erehtyy.

Näin aloittaa kansatieteilijä Kustaa Vilkuna teoksen, joka nykytyöelämän näkökulmasta on järisyttävää räjähdysvoimaa.

"Satovuoden määräaikaiset ponnistukset muutettiin talkoiden luontoisiksi avustustilaisuuksiksi, joissa kilpailu ja usein pilaileva ilonpito liittyivät työhön ja jonka lopussa tekijöitä odotti kestitys runsaine juomineen ja ruokineen. Tällaisena työ muodostui keveäksi tekijälleen, vaikka valmista tuli jokaisen osalle paljon enemmän, kuin mitä kukin yksikseen olisi tehnyt; työtilaisuudesta muodostui siten melkein huvi, joka leikkinä ja tanssina jatkui myöhään yöhön."

"Tällaisena työ ei ole yksitoikkoista orjantyötä, vaan täyteläistä elämää, joka ei kammo ponnistuksia."

Voimallinen innostusteos suomalaiselle, joka haluaa etsiä hyvän työn henkeä ihmisen mentävin aukoin, yli uomakipityksen, latistuksen mankeleitten ja nöyryytysrakenteiden.

Reading the book, you cry, and celebrate life more.

Suomalainen mielikuvitusvoima, aikuislapsimieli, on saanut uuden Muumin.

Luen tätä johdantona suomalaisen metsän filosofiaan.

I can imagine reading this book each day for years and years, page-to-page and cover-to-cover, and each time gaining fresh insight. 

A gem, a treasure chest, a masterpiece, a magnificent source of inspiration for any student of the human condition.

"Ja filosofian työnä ei ole ainoastaan selkeyttää karttoja ja korjata niiden puutteita vaan valaista tuon toiminnan luonnetta, joista ajatus ei voisi olla erillään vaikka tahtoisikin!" (s. 121)

"As authors, we can tell you from experience and our research that ego-driven behaviors rarely feel extreme at any one moment in time." (p. 3)

"...our weaknesses feel almost the same to us as our strenghts. While the difference isn't discernible to us, it is clear to others." (p. 12)

"When ego works against us, these four early warning signs indicate we're losing value: 1) being comparative, 2) being defensive, 3) showcase brilliance, and 4) seeking acceptance." (p. 16)

"Humility is the first principle of egonomics because of its unique ability to open minds." (p. 27)

"In the normal course of life, even the smallest details create bias that makes us less objective without any awareness on our part" (p. 40)

"Constantly looking over our shoulder at what others are doing takes our eyes off what's ahead of us." p. 45)

"In time, we become more insensitive to our mistakes and develop a natural inclination to 'fight back'. Unfortunately, we fall back on that inclination not only when faced with outright challenge or accusation, but when someone is trying to help us." (p. 58)

"83 percent of people we surveyed wish their organizations had more humility." p. 101)

"Without sacrificing our personalty, duality allows 'opposing' traits to coexist. That's why we need duality: it fress us from a one-sided development of our strengths." (p. 118)

"In other words, humility makes intensity constructive, not destructive." (p. 137)

"Intensity in a discussion or debate can cause us to do one of two things: 1) turn against their ideas, or 2) turn toward people and open kinds to their ideas inpursuit of progress." (p. 157)

Kuinoma lainauspalvelu

Porkkanamafia

Puhe on tulevaisuudesta, siis tästä hetkestä, joka sitä tulevaisuutta rakentaa hyvässä taikka pahassa. Mutta "suhteellisen etäisen tulevaisuuden ajatteleminen ei ole ihmiselle tyypillistä. Läpi vuosisatojen vain harvoilla on ollut etuoikeus ajatella tulevaisuutta yli seuraavan satokauden. Muille se on ollut turhaa touhua, haihattelua." (s. 152-3)

Kun meistä tuli kuluttajia, tarina sai uuden käänten. "Huomaamme, että säätäessämme patteria tai valitessamme autoa olimme globaaleja toimijoita, joiden teoilla on ylisukupolvisia seurauksia." (s. 153)

Kirja on helppolukuinen ja mahtuu taskuun. Pokkari sanan alkuperäisessä mielessä. Se herättää ajatuksia, toimii erinomaisesti sytyttävänä "oppaana oman tulevaisuusajattelun kehittämisessä." (s. 155)

Aiheesta lisää:

Demos ajatushautomon kotisivut

Suomi, suomalaisuus, alkuperäinen me. Voimaa, tunteita, virtaavaa liikettä elämän isoin värein.

"Mi on Pohjolan eleä, kun on Sampo Pohjolassa!

Siin' on kyntö, siinä kylvö, siinä kasvo kaikenlainen, siinäpä ikuinen onni."

Magnificent though the exhibition is, the book format also works fine for this uniquely impressive project. I find it surprising and reassuring that Liulia manages to open the theme of religion with such vitality and beauty.

"If a thing is worth doing, do it with all your heart." Liulia quotes Buddha, in one of the fine gem-like aphorisms that run through the book.

With her majestic project she truly follows suit.

One theme Johnson studies with particular  force is cities as structures with a life of their own. Drawing from the groundbreaking ideas of Jane Jacobs, Johnson stresses the significance of sidewalks for the emergence of the creativity of a city and its life-form. Sidewalks pay off on the micro level but even more at the macro level - in ways that cannot really be explained or predicted from the micro level. "The value of the exchange between strangers lies in what it does for the superorganism of the city, not in what it does for the strangers themselves." (p. 96) "Sidewalks work because they permit local interactions to create global order." Thus Johnson makes the case for cities as structures that learn, find ways to be more adaptive.

This same basic logic of emergence is further illustrated by Johnson with an illuminating discussion of ant colonies (which manage to create their superbly impressive and adaptive structure without any central command), of living cells in our body working together, and of software and videogames.

Johnson identifies four core principles in the study of emergence: neighbor interaction, pattern recognition, feedback, and indirect control (p. 22), each of which he discusses separately and with insight. I find Johnson's discussion extremely useful personally, not only for general intellectual reasons, but also because my conviction is that his four principles of emergence play a key role in what we have called systems intelligence - and in the kind of positive philosophy of life which I believe in.