Unifying Themes in Complex Systems, Vol. IIIA: Overview

In recent years, scientists have applied the principles of complex systems science to increasingly diverse fields. The Third International Conference on Complex Systems attracted over 400 researchers from around the world. In recent years, scientists have applied the principles of complex systems science to increasingly diverse fields. The results have been nothing short of remarkable: their novel approaches have provided answers to long-standing questions in biology, ecology, physics, engineering, computer science, economics, psychology and sociology. The Third International Conference on Complex Systems attracted over 400 researchers from around the world. The conference aimed to encourage cross-fertilization between the many disciplines represented and to deepen our understanding of the properties common to all complex systems. This volume contains selected transcripts from presentations given at the conference. Speakers include: Chris Adami, Kenneth Arrow, Michel Baranger, Dan Braha, Timothy Buchman, Michael Caramanis, Kathleen Carley, Greg Chaitin, David Clark, Jack Cohen, Jim Collins, George Cowan, Clay Easterly, Steven Eppinger, Irving Epstein, Dan Frey, Ary Goldberger, Helen Harte, Leroy Hood, Don Ingber, Atlee Jackson, Stuart Kauffman, Jay Lemke, Simon Levin, Edward Lorenz, Ronnie Mainieri, David Meyer, Daniel Miller, Alan Perelson, Stuart Pimm, Stephen Small, Temple Smith, Eugene Stanley, Jeff Stock, Nam Suh, Duncan Watts and George Whitesides. ALI MINAI is an Affiliate of the New England Complex Systems Institute and an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Cincinnati. YANEER BAR-YAM is the founding president of the New England Complex Systems Institute. He is the author of…