20th
Nature Has A Tendency To Reduce Complexity
“There exists a tendency in nature to reduce complexity via modularization. This tendency grows when more modules become available. Finally this tendency enables nature to create intelligent and very sophisticated creatures.
I encountered relations in several areas of physics and in human interactions.
Physics is based on relations. Quantum logic is a set of axioms that restrict the relations that exist between quantum logical propositions. Via its isomorphism with Hilbert spaces quantum logic forms a fundament for quantum physics. However, quantum logic only describes static relations. Classical logic is a similar set of restrictions that define how we can communicate logically.
Potential complexity of a set of objects is a measure that is defined by the number of potential relations that exist between the members of that set. Actual complexity of a set of objects is a measure that is defined by the number of relevant relations that exist between the members of the set. (…)
Nature secures its modules literally by brute force or when those binding forces are not available by enveloping the module in a skin such that only controlled access must be accepted by the module.
Intelligent designers secure the integrity of their modules by power such as a patent mechanism or by proper encapsulation. (…)
There are provide interfaces and require interfaces. Sometimes they are combined in the same physical interface. Channels may connect require interfaces to provide interfaces.
When they are well known, connected interfaces can be seen as a single relevant relation. In this way they replace a number of potential relations.
Thus modularity enables and stimulates nature to create sophisticated creatures via a random process called evolution. (…)
The intelligent modular system creation process enables humans to create very sophisticated systems in much shorter time than nature took in order to create smart individuals.
The laws of entropy are directed towards the increase of chaos. The tendency to reduce complexity via modularization works in the reverse direction.
Both nature and intelligent system designers make use of the advantages of modularization. It enabled nature to create intelligent and very sophisticated creatures, such as human beings. (…)
Nature applies the modular system generation process in a stochastic way. We call this process evolution. It has enormous resources: time, energy and matter.”
— Hans van Leunen, Nature Has A Tendency To Reduce Complexity, Science 2.0, Dec 17th 2010, (Picture credit)
See also:
☞ Complexity tag on Lapidarium notes
