Complexity - The Emerging Science at the Edge of Chaos (Complexity - M. Mitchell Waldrop)

Name: Kathryn

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Product:	Complexity - M. Mitchell Waldrop
Date:	12/07/00 (150 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Clear objective coverage of ideas; broad scientific appeal

Disadvantages: none

The science of complexity deals with a wide range of phenomena which, at first glance, may appear to be totally unrelated: the economy, the human brain, evolution (biological and artificial), galaxies, and the weather to name but a few. However, all of these things have in common the fact that they are complex systems in which the interaction of the component parts results in the emergence of global properties, structure and organisation. Highly complex objects such as eyes, kidneys, flowers and galaxies arise by means of this interaction in a general process that is termed self-organisation.

The book very naturally addresses highly profound questions such as:
* Could life spontaneously emerge from non-living chemicals (and if so, how)?
* Could evolution produce such a complex structure as the human brain?
* What is the likelihood that life exists on other planets?

It is not however just another manufactured book designed to make some money out of the popular science bandwagon. The author, M. Mitchell Waldrop, explains the wide range of fascinating ideas in a way that makes intuitive sense to the general reader. He endeavours to answer questions to the reader's satisfaction (rather than just asking them). Also, he portrays the scientists who work in this area in an honest and endearing manor, to the extent that we become involved in their lives and endeavours, and their work takes on a personal as well as scientific significance.

The thing I enjoyed most about this book is its interdisciplinary nature, the way it unifies the understanding of so many topics. Reading this book will transform your outlook in almost every aspect of your thinking, and you'll wonder why it wasn't all so obvious before you read it. I would highly recommend it to everyone who is curious about the world and the universe in which we live.

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