Human Behaviour - A Bridge Too Far for Complexity? (original) (raw)
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Chaos Theory and the Sciences of Complexity: Foundations for Transforming Educational Systems
Learning, design, and technology: An international compendium of theory, research, practice, and policy, 2019
Chaos theory and the sciences of complexity are branches of systems theory that were developed to help understand highly complex systems. This chapter begins with a summary of some key features of these theories that are particularly relevant to understanding educational systems: coevolution, disequilibrium, positive feedback, perturbation, transformation, fractals, strange attractors, self-organization, and dynamic complexity. Then it explores two major ways that these theories can inform systemic transformation (paradigm change) in K-12 education in the United States and other parts of the world. One way is to help people understand their present systems of education, how each islikely to respond to changes that people try to make, and the effects of those changes, to determine when a system is ready for transformation and identify the system dynamics that are likely to influence both the attempted changes and the effects of those changes. The other way is to help people understand and improve the transformation process, which is itself a complex system that educational systems can use to transform themselves. Strange attractors and leverage points are two particularly powerful tools for influencing the success of the transformation process.
COMPLEXITY. Roots and meaning of a concept that we cannot do without. A manual against clichés.
2023
The word "complexity" for many remains a terra incognita, so much so that some mistake it for "complication" while for others it is synonymous with "confusion", a way of not wanting to see reality in its clear contours. Unfortunately, for decades now it has not been possible to go beyond the cultural contrast between the use of absolute laws-values and unpredictability, which automatically leads to cultural relativism. In this book I will try to show how there is a path other than determinism and unpredictability and this path is what complexity science has been developing for at least 30 years. This path is the path of complexity. The greater complexity of individuals and societies today does not mean that simple aspects have disappeared: there are times when I must choose, either this or that and war is one of them. Complexity does not deny data, information, indeed there is no complexity without content and information. Complexity is made up of networks, hubs, links, vision, strategy, priorities and requires a new mental approach and is what people and institutions (primarily schools) are missing. This book aims to introduce elements of understanding of a reality with which we must increasingly come to terms; we are immersed in a complex world but we face it with inadequate tools because they were fine once or with fantasies without cultural foundations. Complexity is not a simple word, but a cultural universe whose characteristics we must know and recognize.
Netsol, 2019
Chaos, machine, or evolving complexity? The butterfly effect suggests a world in chaos-with linkages so random or nuanced that just to measure or pre-state them is virtually impossible. To predict how they will interact is even less feasible. Thanks to "adjacent possibles" and the contradictory impulses of human behavior, much of our world appears to move in random spasms. Every new technology and policy outcome creates opportunities to push society in new and often unforeseen directions, driven by human agents who may introduce crucial but unpredictable goals, strategies, and actions. Against this view, complexity science seeks to identify patterns in interactive relationships. Many patterns can be plotted and, in some cases, foreseen. A comparison of political entities across the globe points to certain factors conducing to societal fitness. Analysis of states that have declined in fitness suggests why their strengths turned to weaknesses. A survey of societies that were relatively democratic points to several factors that contributed to their acquiring authoritarian regimes. Scientists and scholars can unveil some elements of order but should strive to do so without hubris. Wise policymakers will strive to channel both the "actuals" and "adjacent possibles" that then arise toward constructive futures.