Adaptation vs. Entropy LO5161
Landerman, Martha (mlm@smtpgwy.roadnet.ups.com)
Fri, 26 Jan 96 14:44:20 EST
In LO5116, Dave Birren asked questions about the second law of
thermodymanics, entropy, and chaos. I just finished reading a
wonderful book that discusses all of those things and more. In fact,
it points out links between economics, biological adaption, physics,
and the state of many natural systems through the methods they use to
evolve. The book is called _Complexity: The Emerging Science at the
Edge of Order and Chaos_ by M. Mitchell Waldrop (ISBN D-671-76789-5).
Waldrop considers just the questions you're asking, Dave, and in all
the detail and thoughtfulness they deserve. The links he draws to
familiar subjects (for me, the natural sciences) and some
not-so-familar ones, such as economics, are breathtaking. My view of
many things changed after reading this book. It's quite approachable,
and discusses in terms the non-Nobel scientist can understand. It also
spotlights many of our brightest scientists working today. Give it a
shot.
Martha
Martha Landerman
senior creative analyst
United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
Information Services Maryland
2311 York Road
Timonium, MD 21093
The usual disclaimers... my ideas, not my company's...
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Try yoga. As your body flexes, so does your mind.
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"Landerman, Martha" <mlm@smtpgwy.roadnet.ups.com>