Very good point, Eric. Yes, that makes sense. Terminology is too fuzzy. I
need to go back to my readings on emergence to see if the terms "top-down"
are clearly defined.
Peggy

On Sun, Nov 14, 2010 at 3:01 PM, ERIC P. CHARLES <[email protected]> wrote:

> Peggy,
> I think a possible confusion is that changing "the environment" does not
> necessarily produce a top-down effect. The terminology is too fuzzy. For
> example, you can easily take a model of fish schooling, which will look
> quite a bit like fish in water, then change some parameters so it is like
> they are in oil. The schools will look different. However, all the effects
> will still be the result of micro-interactions of each fish with it's
> immediate environment - you just have different bottom-up effects. Because
> I'm not sure how to tell which changes in the environment would qualify as
> top-down, that's about the best I can offer.
>
> Does that make any sense?
>
> Eric
>
>
> On Sun, Nov 14, 2010 12:35 PM, *peggy miller <[email protected]>*wrote:
>
> responding to Nick's question on what I meant on my emergence question:
>
> What I am wondering related to emergent behavior patterns is whether, for
> example, with the "flocking syndrome", if put into a different top-down
> environment, would it possibly retain the flocking characteristics, but
> shift them to flock with others, or look for other entities to flock with --
> or whether the tendency to flock itself would go away.
> This relates to questions, thoughts I have, about how if one believes that
> humans have flocking characteristics (some of them) (as I do believe) then
> if environmental factors stop ability to communicate or somehow alter
> ability of those active flockers to flock in groups they are used to, (let's
> say, for argument, to try to bring about progressive change that helps the
> planet) will they simply a) regroup for different battles to push for/with;
> b)stop regrouping; c) get new types to group for planetary battles.
> So I wondered if studies on shifting top-down impacts on emergence behavior
> exist.
>
> Peggy Miller
> Missoula, Mt.
>
> From: "Nicholas Thompson" <[email protected] <#12c4c68791c10eb3_>
> >
> To: "'The Friday Morning Applied Complexity Coffee Group'" <
> [email protected] <#12c4c68791c10eb3_>>
> Date: Sat, 13 Nov 2010 12:14:40 -0700
> Subject: Re: [FRIAM] emergence -- studies on "top down" limitations
>
> Peggy,
>
>
>
> I felt I “ought” to be able to answer this question … note the use of modal
> language. ( My sense of obligation and five dollars will get you a [small]
> cup of coffee in any restaurant in Santa Fe.)  But I am not sure I quite
> understood your question.  Is there a particular situation to which the
> question applies that you could describe to me?  It might be easier to
> answer in the particular.
>
>
>
> Nick
>
>
>
> *From:* [email protected] <#12c4c68791c10eb3_> [mailto:
> [email protected] <#12c4c68791c10eb3_>] *On Behalf Of *peggy
> miller
> *Sent:* Saturday, November 13, 2010 11:12 AM
> *To:* [email protected] <#12c4c68791c10eb3_>
> *Subject:* [FRIAM] emergence -- studies on "top down" limitations
>
>
> Since "top-down" impacts emergent behavior, have there been studies that
> take the same number and types of entities that are known to have emergent
> behavior of some predictable form -- like flock of set type of birds, and
> systematically change the "top" environment those entities exist in to study
> whether it impacts the emergent behavior that forms?
>
> Thanks for any input from you all.
> Peggy Miller
>
>
>
>
> --
> Peggy Miller, owner/OEO
> Highland Winds
> Art, Photography, Herbs and Writings
> 406-541-7577 (home/office/shop)
>
> ============================================================
> FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
> Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
> lectures, archives, unsubscribe, maps at http://www.friam.org
>
> Eric Charles
>
> Professional Student and
> Assistant Professor of Psychology
> Penn State University
> Altoona, PA 16601
>
>
>


-- 
Peggy Miller, owner/OEO
Highland Winds
Art, Photography, Herbs and Writings
406-541-7577 (home/office/shop)
============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
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