What do we mean when we describe ourselves as complex adaptive, or more advanced or even more autonomous than the rest of the living organisms, or even the ecosystem, on this planet?  What really is a complex adaptive system?  Again, we are a universe ourselves (our bodies are an ecosystem). 

Some interesting finds:   In my search for answers I discovered the following:  Accordingly to John H. Holland and Murry Gell-Mann and others, complex systems are made up of multiple interconnected elements and adaptive in that they have the capacity to change and learn from experience.   

Co-evolution: All systems exist within their own environment and they are also part of that environment. Therefore, as their environment changes they need to change to ensure best fit. But because they are part of their environment, when they change, they change their environment, and as it has changed they need to change again, and so it goes on as a constant process. (Perhaps it should have been Darwin's "Theory of Co-evolution". ) [2]

Some people draw a distinction between complex adaptive systems and complex evolving systems. Where the former continuously adapt to the changes around them but do not learn from the process. And where the latter learn and evolve from each change enabling them to influence their environment, better predict likely changes in the future, and prepare for them accordingly.[2]

But I ask, is it really experience or best fit; or is it really an overall system’s and/or human’s adjustment (balancing) for sustenance (survival)?  There is a confusion of what we (humankind) label human intelligence vs. a system’s complex reactions to adapt?  I think that we humans are not totally recognizing some pieces to the puzzle here.

Being complex adaptive vs. clever:  We always get caught into our own intelligence (being able to recognize our achievements, cleverness of invention for making short term survival easier, and more efficient).   We find ourselves so much more caught today into our cleverness that sometimes I wonder if we have blinded ourselves to what the accomplishments (by-products of cleverness) really set in motion (i.e.,short term satisfaction monetarily, prestige wise, or pleasure wise); wherein we are unable to recognize the long term effects baring out destructive reactions to our very survivability.  Is our Intelligence primarily working today for short term vs. the long term sustenance for the ecosystem?

Autonomy and Human limits, what and where are the limits?   We do have biological constraints – today with our advancements (scientific and technological) enabling us to begin recognizing more about our biology, physics, and more (from subatomic particles, carbon makeup, genetics, all the elements conducting our ‘make up’ – our planet, our solar system, and Universe).   We now are recognizing that there is a definite pattern of activity taking place, with carbon, radiation, and genetic encoding and signaling going on with directives (constraints) embedded and effecting our very own human genetic patterning to bond to that of the solar and universal patterning.  The encoding in our ‘matter’; is tied to our ecosystem, wherein its Nature has boundaries, all built with a signaling system for systemic survival (in other words there is a very vast communication system going on throughout us and within us.  We, humans, have a wide range of built in autonomic and automatic patterns that are hedonically (pain/pleasure) controlled and reflexively driven to reinforce our ability to survive.   Yet, even here, the human brain has evolved the capacity to override these life sustaining autonomic mechanisms.

[1] Rizzolatti, G., & Craighero, L. (2004). The mirror-neuron system. Annual Review in Neuroscience, 27, 169-92.
[2] A brief description of Complex Adaptive Systems and Complexity Theory, by Peter Fryer   Also found at: http://www.trojanmice.com/articles/complexadaptivesystems.htm
 

Man, Machine, and in Between

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500 BC Fort for observing any incoming ships along the Ring of Kerry Ireland.