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



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Netochka Nezvanova                   nezvanova@eusocial.com
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  beautiful + tall           http://steim.nl/leaves/petalz
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