This is our last full class this semester.  We will use it to review some of the basic concepts of complexity theory, illustrating them with material covered throughout the semester.  We began the semester with the idea of Consilience - the unity of science coming not from a grand general theory but from commonalities which emerge in different fields of study.  In this class, we will return to this theme, with an enriched understanding thanks to the material we have studied.  We will also explore recent developments in the business and financial world from the perspective of complex systems theory.

During the break, we will meet in support groups.  Tests will be returned, and we will work on some review questions for the final exam.

You may be interested in the latest news release from Intelligenesis.

Remember that portfolios are due on April 30 at 2:30 p.m.  For information on the portfolio, check the writing assignments page.

Reading Assignments:

Remember to check the TimesTech page!  Articles posted since February 17 will be covered on the final.

To refresh your memory, Go back to the interview with Edward Wilson which we read the first week.  This time, also read the series of excerpts from the book which begin at the end of the interview.  Pay particular attention to what he says about brain science.

Read Mindless Creatures Acting 'Mindfully' from the New York Times.  This provides an excellent overview of the idea of self-organization, with several consilient examples.

Read   Searching for the Essence of the World Wide Web.

Read Silicon Planet, an article on the Internet and high tech enclaves around the world.

Read One City, 2 Booksellers and a Bit  of Bad Blood about the effects of the Internet on the bookselling industry (Posted April 10 on the TimesTech page as well).

Read some excerpts from Bill Gates's new book, Business @ The Speed of Thought  published in Time Magazine.  The book is available in bookstores everywhere, if Gates's prose appeals to you.  The book gives practical advice for applying the new digital mentality to the business world.  After you've read the excerpts from book, take a look at what 20 Amazon.com customers have said about it (no, these will not be on the test).
 

An article from the Times on productivity in the Internet Economy and one on Volunteers at AOL  (These were also on the TimesTech Page).

Below is a comic panel by Paul Chadwick from the whatistheMatrix site.