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You are hereby invited to the thirteenth seminar in our new interdisciplinary series on Evolution, Complexity and Cognition (ECCO) <http://ecco.vub.ac.be> : Design and Control of Self-organizing Systems PhD defense, Carlos Gershenson Promoters: Prof. Dr. Bart D’Hooghe and Prof. Dr. Francis Heylighen Advisors: Prof. Dr. Bruce Edmonds Prof. Dr. Bernard Manderick Prof. Dr. Peter McBurney Prof. Dr. Ann Nowé Abstract: Complex systems are usually difficult to design and control. There are several particular methods for coping with complexity, but there is no general approach to build complex systems. In this thesis I propose a methodology to aid engineers in the design and control of complex systems. This is based on the description of systems as self-organizing. Starting from the agent metaphor, the methodology proposes a conceptual framework and a series of steps to follow to find proper mechanisms that will promote elements to find solutions by actively interacting among themselves. The main premise of the methodology claims that reducing the “friction” of interactions between elements of a system will result in a higher “satisfaction” of the system, i.e. better performance. A general introduction to complex thinking is given, since designing self-organizing systems requires a non-classical thought, while practical notions of complexity and self-organization are put forward. To illustrate the methodology, I present three case studies. Self-organizing traffic light controllers are proposed and studied with multi-agent simulations, outperforming traditional methods. Methods for improving communication within self-organizing bureaucracies are advanced, introducing a simple computational model to illustrate the benefits of self-organization. In the last case study, requirements for self-organizing artifacts in an ambient intelligence scenario are discussed. Philosophical implications of the conceptual framework are also put forward. When? Wednesday May 2nd, 14:00 Where? Promotiezaal D.2.01, V.U.B <http://www.vub.ac.be/english/infoabout/campuses/index.html#etterbeek> . Download full thesis from http://ecco.vub.ac.be/%7Ecarlos/thesis.pdf The details of the defense can be found here <http://ecco.vub.ac.be/%7Ecarlos/PhDInvitation.pdf> . The defense will be followed by a reception at the STOA. _____ See and discuss the past seminars! Date Speaker Topic More 10 Jan Carlos Gershenson Towards Self-organizing Bureaucracies Presentation <http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/ECCO/Seminars/SOBs-ECCO.pdf> Paper <http://uk.arxiv.org/abs/nlin.AO/0603045> Discussion <http://www.knosos.be/?q=node/1657> 17 Jan Francis Heylighen Characteristics and Problems of the Gifted: neural propagation depth and flow motivation as a model of intelligence and creativity Presentation <http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/ECCO/Seminars/Giftednessseminar.pdf> <http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/ECCO/Seminars/Giftednessseminar.pdf> Paper Discussion <http://www.knosos.be/?q=node/1617> 25 Jan Jan Bernheim A Progressive Evolutionary Worldview Presentation <http://pcp.vub.ac.be/ECCO/Seminars/Bernheim2007.ppt> Discussion <http://www.knosos.be/?q=node/1825> 31 Jan Clément Vidal A Minimal Philosophical Agenda. Worldview Construction as a Philosophical Method Presentation <http://ecco.vub.ac.be/%7Eclement/seminars2007/ecco-clem.ppt> Paper <http://ecco.vub.ac.be/%7Eclement/vidal2007-wp.pdf> Discussion <http://www.knosos.be/?q=node/1660> 7 Feb Mixel Kiemen Complex-Adaptive information processing Presentation <http://www.knosos.be/?q=node/1661> Discussion 14 Feb Wim Christiaens Apostel's Concept of Causality: Defining Being by Folding "logic" on "life" Discussion <http://www.knosos.be/?q=node/1662> 21 Feb Dirk Kenis Knowledge Management in Virtual Communities: opportunities for Agile Group Decision Support Systems (GDSS) Presentation <http://ecco.vub.ac.be/%7Eclement/seminars2007/ecco-kenis.pps> Discussion <http://www.knosos.be/?q=node/1663> 28 Feb Erden Göktepe Mediating International Agents: a Question of Efficiency Discussion <http://www.knosos.be/?q=node/1664> Presentation <http://ecco.vub.ac.be/%7Eclement/seminars2007/ecco-goktepe-28022007.ppt> Postponed! Karin Verelst Deixis and Truth from Aristotle to Poincaré Discussion <http://www.knosos.be/node/2152> 14 Mar Helen De Cruz Universal Selection Theory and the Evolution of Mathematics Discussion <http://www.knosos.be/?q=node/1659> 23 Mar Arnold de Loof "Life": Compartmental Organization, Communication and Problem-Solving Activity. Discussion <http://www.knosos.be/node/2153> Presentation <http://ecco.vub.ac.be/%7Eclement/seminars2007/ecco-deloof-23032007.ppt> 28 Mar Mehmet Tezcan A complex systems critique to mainstream IR theory: A case study of foreign policy integration in Europe as a complex system Discussion <http://www.knosos.be/?q=node/1867> Presentation <http://ecco.vub.ac.be/%7Eclement/seminars2007/ecco-tezcan-28032007.ppt> 18 Apr Klaas Chielens The Status of Memetics as a Science: update Discussion <http://www.knosos.be/node/2154> More informations about the ECCO seminars: See http://www.knosos.be/?q=node/1666 for the up-to-date page, and PDF <http://www.knosos.be/system/files/ecco_seminars_2007_3.pdf> program with abstracts. Best regards, Clément Vidal. _________________________________ http://clement.vidal.philosophons.com <http://clement.vidal.philosophons.com/> Evolution, Complexity and Cognition research group, Free University of Brussels. Krijgskundestraat 33. B-1160 Brussels, Belgium. +32 (0) 2 640 67 37
