Complexity: A Guided Tour (edit title/settings)

• Rated 4 stars

“Complexity: A Guided Tour is a wonderful introduction to the study of complexity, computation and information systems. The reader is guided, much as the title suggests, through a wide array of fields affected by the ongoing study of systems that don’t fit in nice little packages. The book is part scientific-lay-of-the-land, part history and part autobiography. It provides a framework for understanding how this science has developed in relation to other fields, while giving practical examples that a creative reader could immediately start playing with in their minds; those inclined could even begin “experimenting” with the concepts.

I enjoyed reading this book immensely. Mitchell’s style is wonderful – part student part mentor – guiding the reader through heady topics, but not afraid to say, “I don’t know…” when it is appropriate. I have found many “scientific” works to be dogmatic and unwavering; self-assured would be an understatement. Not so with this. It is aware of both complexity’s promise and its pitfalls, the work already accomplished and the road ahead. Mitchell presents science as almost a living organism in itself, one that slowly develops, sometimes making false steps, sometimes taking leaps and bounds forwards.

Topics covered include “Turing” machines, cellular automatons, economics, logistic maps, fractals and “chaos”, population dynamics, genetic algorithms, genetics, evolution and metabolic theory, to name a few. I by chance watched The Dark Knight immediately after finishing this, and was amazed at how that made sections of it come alive (specifically, the use of the Prisoner’s Dilemma as a plot element). Very little math is required, though a good grasp of algebra and a love for patterns is helpful. In place of complicated proofs, I found lots of well-given descriptions of models, helpful illustrations and explanatory instructions that enabled the reader grasp where a model was going and how it emphasized or clarified the topic at hand.

Mitchell, also, is not afraid to step on toes. In particular, her handling of genetics and evolution theory are likely to create rancor on many sides. She denigrates those who denounce evolution for religious reasons, but gives no room for pride and arrogance in those who blindly assert that natural selection is the primary mover in evolutionary theory (The Modern Synthesis). With cogent examples and well-thought out critique, she presents science as a moving target, requiring both optimism and caution in all.”

• Rated 4 stars

“Well structured intro to the topic. ”

• Rated 2 stars

“If you're a physicist or mathematician, you might like this book, but from a social science perspective it didn't really contribute much to my understanding of complexity theory. ”

• Rated 4 stars

“Pretty readable and broad introduction to a lot of ideas. A good source for more detailed things to read on particular subject of interest.”

• Rated 3 stars

“Got halfway through this one, actually. Would be well-worth finishing sometime, as it an excellent updated overview of complex systems and chaotic dynamics.

But I've purchased a good used copy of Goedel Escher Bach, something of a classic in this field, and will be fruitfully chewing on that one for awhile, instead!”

• Rated 4 stars

“I was *very* impressed with this book! It brought together a good assortment of subjects and did a good job at highlighting both the connections and the important parts. It is generally a wonderful overview of the science of complexity. The math was both accurate, well explained and not hidden but also accessible and not overloading-ly mathy for those who with equation-phobia.”

• Rated 5 stars

“Wonderful introduction to complexity science. ”