Emergent patters/properties of complex adaptive systems are achieved through simple operating ‘rules’.
Indeed, simple ‘rules’ are a necessity of complex dynamical interactions. A common misunderstanding is that the complex interactions are a result of complex ‘rules’.
Emergent properties may be thought of as ’simplicities’ in the sense that they are the identifiable ‘things’ … whether properties (structural behaviour), patterns (of birds in flight, schoals of birds), or ‘problems’ … which result from the complex interactions of the dynamical system.
While the interactions of the system are complex, the rules which lead to the system’s behaviour are ’simple’. This is one of many counterintuitive aspects of complex adaptive systems.
‘Life’ provides the best and most obvious example.
Applying the lessons learned from the ‘rules of Life’, to the design of Communities (and resulting social lifestyles) is a high form of Biomimicry. The notion of having a few simple rules by which to design and construct healthy vibrant communities of immense diversity and resilience is confirmed by Life.
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