Complex Adaptive Systems: An Introduction to Computational Models of Social Life (Princeton Studies in Complexity)

Book Description

This book provides the first clear, comprehensive, and accessible account of complex adaptive social systems, by two of the field's leading authorities. Such systems--whether political parties, stock markets, or ant colonies--present some of the most intriguing theoretical and practical challenges confronting the social sciences. Engagingly written, and balancing technical detail with intuitive explanations, Complex Adaptive Systems focuses on the key tools and ideas that have emerged in the field since the mid-1990s, as well as the techniques needed to investigate such systems. It provides a detailed introduction to concepts such as emergence, self-organized criticality, automata, networks, diversity, adaptation, and feedback. It also demonstrates how complex adaptive systems can be explored using methods ranging from mathematics to computational models of adaptive agents.

John Miller and Scott Page show how to combine ideas from economics, political science, biology, physics, and computer science to illuminate topics in organization, adaptation, decentralization, and robustness. They also demonstrate how the usual extremes used in modeling can be fruitfully transcended.

Customer Reviews:

Annie Wu -- Book #1.......2007-08-10

I am a purchasing agent who buys books for my faculty, and as far as I know, this faculty member is very impressed with this particular book.

The Emergence of Convergence .......2007-08-04

At the time of writing this review, this book isn't searchable through Amazon, that's too bad because if you're reading the reviews wondering if it's worth buying, just browsing through any page from the intro or appendix B would clearly resolve any remnant hesitation. This book is a must have for anyone even remotely interested in complex adaptive systems. Scott Page and John Miller dress the landscape and state of the art of computational social science, the issues are motivated from the ground up and the existing approaches to resolve them explicitly detailed, yet using clear and jargon free language. For example, descriptions of the many concepts repeatedly used in the scientific method (of CAS et al) such as ergodicity or optimization theory are refreshing and insightful, simply stuff you don't get from textbooks, but rather that one would learn over years of experience doing.

In summary, the authors are handing us an expert summary of literature and developments of a complex field in a concise, fun and delightful read, it would be a shame to miss it.

An Introduction to Chaos in Nonequilibrium Statistical Mechanics

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An Introduction to Chaos in Nonequilibrium Statistical Mechanics
J. R. Dorfman , and Robert Dorfman
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Chaos, Scattering and Statistical Mechanics (Cambridge Nonlinear Science Series)

ASIN: 0521655897

Book Description

This book provides an introduction to nonequilibrium statistical mechanics applied to ideas in chaotic dynamics. The author illustrates how techniques in statistical mechanics can be used to calculate quantities that are essential to understanding the chaotic behavior of fluid systems. Beginning with important background information, the volume goes on to introduce basic concepts of dynamical systems theory through simple examples before explaining advanced topics such as SRB and Gibbs measures. It will be of great interest to graduate students and researchers in condensed matter physics, nonlinear science, theoretical physics, mathematics, and theoretical chemistry.

Introduction to Control of Oscillations and Chaos (World Scientific Series on Nonlinear Science. Series a, Monographs and Treatises, V. 35)

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Introduction to Control of Oscillations and Chaos (World Scientific Series on Nonlinear Science. Series a, Monographs and Treatises, V. 35)
A. L. Fradkov , and Alexander L. Fradkov
Manufacturer: World Scientific Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 9810230699

Book Description

This book gives an exposition of the exciting field of control of oscillatory and chaotic systems, which has numerous potential applications in mechanics, laser and chemical technologies, communications, biology and medicine, economics, ecology, etc.

A novelty of the book is its systematic application of modern nonlinear and adaptive control theory to the new class of problems. The proposed control design methods are based on the concepts of Lyapunov functions, Poincare maps, speed-gradient and gradient algorithms. The conditions which ensure such control goals as an excitation or suppression of oscillations, synchronization and transformation from chaotic mode to the periodic one or vice versa, are established. The performance and robustness of control systems under disturbances and uncertainties are evaluated.

The described methods and algorithms are illustrated by a number of examples, including classical models of oscillatory and chaotic systems: coupled pendula, brusselator, Lorenz, Van der Pol, Duffing, Henon and Chua systems. Practical examples from different fields of science and technology such as communications, growth of thin films, synchronization of chaotic generators based on tunnel diods, stabilization of swings in power systems, increasing predictability of business-cycles are also presented.

The book includes many results on nonlinear and adaptive control published previously in Russian and therefore were not known to the West.

Book Description

Presents the newer field of chaos in nonlinear dynamics as a natural extension of classical mechanics as treated by differential equations. Employs Hamiltonian systems as the link between classical and nonlinear dynamics, emphasizing the concept of integrability. Also discusses nonintegrable dynamics, the fundamental KAM theorem, integrable partial differential equations, and soliton dynamics.

Customer Reviews:

Great book !.......2004-08-05

This is a very good book. Has a lot of relevant stuffs covered and it's at least light years ahead of similar books in terms of digestibility. Tightly-written yet not patronisingly simple. Check it out.

Chaos: A Mathematical Introduction (Australian Mathematical Society Lecture Series)

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An interesting approach
You Don't Need a Math Degree to Understand this

Chaos: A Mathematical Introduction (Australian Mathematical Society Lecture Series)
John Banks , Valentina Dragan , and Arthur Jones
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0521531047

Book Description

This text presents concepts on chaos in discrete time dynamics that are accessible to anyone who has taken a first course in undergraduate calculus. Retaining its commitment to mathematical integrity, the book, originating in a popular one-semester middle level undergraduate course, constitutes the first elementary presentation of a traditionally advanced subject.

Customer Reviews:

An interesting approach.......2007-05-18

Firstly, this is one of those rare technical books which one can thoroughly enjoy. It can be read at a number of levels and rewards any effort put into understanding the concepts and the mathematics. One needs decent calculus, basic set theory and a bit of topology to wade through the maths. The text and diagrams are clear and unambiguous. The fonts and layout are well chosen for easy reading, always an important consideration for technical books. As this is a text book for a course in elementary chaos theory, the authors write out the proofs fully, in an almost bullet point fashion which makes it very easy to follow the argumentation. I like this style very much.

What I don't like is the lack of solutions (preferably worked solutions) to the excellent exercises at the end of each topic. This is one of my major bugbears about textbooks. Without worked solutions one simply cannot get the feedback required for a full understanding of the subject. Not everyone who buys the book will be attending classes and they will never know if they are on track or not. To make me even crankier, the authors will provide worked solutions to "bona fide" teachers who contact them. How about letting teachers, bona fide or otherwise, write their own exercises instead of taking the easy way out, and letting students learn using the well accepted techniques of feedback and reinforcement.

A star is lost! Hufff!

You Don't Need a Math Degree to Understand this.......2004-01-03

Chaos is such a visually stunning field of study, since you invariably run into those computer generated figures of Julia sets or random fractal landscapes or cloud formations.

But can we get a rigorous, first principles explanation that is broadly accessible to undergraduates with good, but not advanced math preparation? Well, you might consider this recent book. The authors have gone to some length to explain events without appealing to more than simple calculus.

Book Description

Translates new mathematical ideas in nonlinear dynamics and chaos into a language that engineers and scientists can understand, and gives specific examples and applications of chaotic dynamics in the physical world. Also describes how to perform both computer and physical experiments in chaotic dynamics. Topics cover Poincare maps, fractal dimensions and Lyapunov exponents, illustrating their use in specific physical examples. Includes an extensive guide to the literature, especially that relating to more mathematically oriented works; a glossary of chaotic dynamics terms; a list of computer experiments; and details for a demonstration experiment on chaotic vibrations.

Introduction to G-Convergence (Progress in Nonlinear Differential Equations and Their Applications)

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Introduction to G-Convergence (Progress in Nonlinear Differential Equations and Their Applications)
Gianni Dal Maso
Manufacturer: Birkhauser
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 081763679X

Chaos and Chance: An Introduction to Stochastic Aspects of Dynamics

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Chaos and Chance: An Introduction to Stochastic Aspects of Dynamics
Arno Berger
Manufacturer: Walter de Gruyter
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Book Description

With emphasis on stochastic aspects of deterministic systems this short book introduces the reader to the basic facts and some special topics of applied ergodic theory. It addresses advanced undergraduate and graduate students from various disciplines, i.e. mathematicians, physicists, electrical and mechanical engineers. Based upon a sound (but non-technical) mathematical introduction, a number of typical examples from applications (mostly from mechanics) are thoroughly discussed. By studying both probabilistic and deterministic features of dynamical systems the reader will develop what might be considered a unified view on chaos and chance as two sides of the same thing.

Chaos in Discrete Dynamical Systems: A Visual Introduction in 2 Dimensions

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Chaos in Discrete Dynamical Systems: A Visual Introduction in 2 Dimensions
Ralph Abraham , Laura Gardini , and Christian Mira
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0387943005

Book Description

Chaos Theory is a synonym for dynamical systems theory, a branch of mathematics. Dynamical systems come in three flavors: flows (continuous dynamical systems), cascades (discrete, reversible, dynamical systems), and semi-cascades (discrete, irreversible, dynamical systems). Flows and semi-cascades are the classical systems iuntroduced by Poincare a centry ago, and are the subject of the extensively illustrated book: "Dynamics: The Geometry of Behavior," Addison-Wesley 1992 authored by Ralph Abraham and Shaw. Semi- cascades, also know as iterated function systems, are a recent innovation, and have been well-studied only in one dimension (the simplest case) since about 1950. The two-dimensional case is the current frontier of research. And from the computer graphcis of the leading researcher come astonishing views of the new landscape, such as the Julia and Mandelbrot sets in the beautiful books by Heinz-Otto Peigen and his co-workers. Now, the new theory of critical curves developed by Mira and his students and Toulouse provide a unique opportunity to explain the basic concepts of the theory of chaos and bifurcations for discete dynamical systems in two-dimensions. The materials in the book and on the accompanying disc are not solely developed only with the researcher and professional in mind, but also with consideration for the student. The book is replete with some 100 computer graphics to illustrate the material, and the CD-ROM contains full-color animations that are tied directly into the subject matter of the book, itself. In addition, much of this material has also been class-tested by the authors. The cross-platform CD also contains a software program called ENDO, which enables users to create their own 2-D imagery with X-Windows. Maple scripts are provided which give the reader the option of working directly with the code from which the graphcs in the book were

Chaos: An Introduction to Dynamical Systems

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Exciting and Lucid Introduction to Chaos Theory
The definitive guide to dynamical systems!
great introduction to dynamical systems
For my Taste One of the Best Undegraduate Texts

Chaos: An Introduction to Dynamical Systems
Kathleen Alligood
Manufacturer: Springer-Verlag
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0763703052

Book Description

Chaos: An Intoduction to Dynamical Systems, was developed and class-tested by a distinguished team of authors at two universities through their teaching of courses based on the material. Intended for courses in nonlinear dynamics offered either in Mathematics or Physics, the text requires only calculus, differential equations, and linear algebra as prerequisites. Along with discussions of the major topics, including discrete dynamical systems, chaos, fractals, nonlinear differential equations and bifurcations, the text also includes Lab Visits, short reports that illustrate relevant concepts from the physical, chemical and biological sciences. There are Computer Experiments throughout the text that present opportunities to explore dynamics through computer simulations, designed to be used with any software package. And each chapter ends with a Challenge, which provides students a tour through an advanced topic in the form of an extended exercise.

Customer Reviews:

Exciting and Lucid Introduction to Chaos Theory.......2005-03-21

This book is a must-own for anyone interested in nonlinear dynamics and chaos -- I also highly recommend the "Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos" text by Strogatz.

I especially like the numerous diagrams that clarify everything so well in this book. In addition, the writing includes just the right amount of informal discussion to truly explain the material without retreating into jargon.

A favorite moment in the book is a "challenge" exercise that explains the famous "Period Three Implies Chaos" result: the reader is gently guided through 10 steps resulting in a proof of Sharkovskii's Theorem, a more general result that includes the Period 3 thing as a special case.

Buy it! Simply phenomenal.

The definitive guide to dynamical systems!.......2000-10-08

When I purchased this book three years ago, I had only a rudimentary understanding of dynamical systems. Thankfully, all that was needed to get me started was some intermediate calculus and some basic college-level linear algebra. Since I had been doing both from the time I was a sophmore in high school, I had no trouble getting comfortable with it. The authors present dynamical systems in an easy-to-read style with tests that appear at the end of each chapter after you've had time to catch on.

If you're seriously thinking about getting started in dynamical systems, get this book!

great introduction to dynamical systems.......1998-06-12

I was enrolled in a course at GMU in which the draft version of this text was used. The math was not as difficult as some of the graduate texts, therefore it serves as a good intoduction for someone with as little as 2 years of undergraduate math. The challenges at the end of each chapter are more difficult than the regular problems, but they are meant to be. Many of the systems can be modeled on a spreadsheet. If you have any interest in Chaos, this book will only strengthen it.

For my Taste One of the Best Undegraduate Texts.......1998-02-13

This book presents brilliantly the foundations to Dynamical Systems and Chaos. You need to have some Linear Algebra, Calculus and Multivariable Calculus and Differential Equations knowledge. Full of exercises, computer experiments and Challenges. I think that the text looses some substance due to the lack of presenting more or all the solutions to the Exercises. They should be solved detailed in a Solutions Manual. Don't try to e-mail the authors for more solutions, they will not get them to you. This point is the only pitty in a text that is a great companion through chaotic dynamics. Also Very Brilliant for me at this Level are: Strogatz-Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos, Kaplan-Understanding Nonlinear Dynamics, Gulick-Encounters with Chaos, Hilborn-Chaos and Nonlinear Dynamics, Devaney-An Introduction to Chaotic Dynamical Systems and A First Course to Chaotic Dynamics, Holmgren-A First Course in Discrete Dynamical Systems. More sofisticated maths but not too far away are: Schuster-Deterministic Chaos(graduate) and Ott-Chaos in Dynamical Systems (graduate).

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