Complex Adaptive Systems Quotes

“Good modeling requires that we have just enough of the “right” transparencies in the map. Of course, the right transparencies depend on the needs of a particular user.”
― John H. Miller, Complex Adaptive Systems: An Introduction to Computational Models of Social Life

“The goal of science is to make the wonderful and complex understandable and simple—but not less wonderful. —Herb Simon, Sciences of the Artificial”
― John H. Miller, Complex Adaptive Systems: An Introduction to Computational Models of Social Life

“Models need to be judged by what they eliminate as much as by what they include—like stone carving, the art is in removing what you do not need.”
― John H. Miller, Complex Adaptive Systems: An Introduction to Computational Models of Social Life

“Like all models, the hope is that this simplification of organizational life will lead to some fundamental insights that transcend the constraints of the model. Our analysis uses computational experiments to provide insight and clarification, linked with more formal mathematical derivations where possible.”
― John H. Miller, Complex Adaptive Systems: An Introduction to Computational Models of Social Life

“Miller, John H., and Scott Moser. 2004. “Communication and Coordination.” Complexity 9:31–40.”
― John H. Miller, Complex Adaptive Systems: An Introduction to Computational Models of Social Life

“Miller, John H., Carter Butts, and David Rode. 2002. “Communication and Cooperation.” Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization 47:179–95.”
― John H. Miller, Complex Adaptive Systems: An Introduction to Computational Models of Social Life

“Moore, Christopher, and Martin Nilsson. 1999. “The Computational Complexity of Sandpiles.” Santa Fe Institute Working Paper.”
― John H. Miller, Complex Adaptive Systems: An Introduction to Computational Models of Social Life

“Glaeser, Edward L., Bruce Sacerdote, and Jose A. Scheinkman. 1996. “Crime and Social Interactions.” Quarterly Journal of Economics 111:507–48.”
― John H. Miller, Complex Adaptive Systems: An Introduction to Computational Models of Social Life

“Arthur, W. Brian. 1994. “Inductive Reasoning and Bounded Rationality.” American Economic Review Papers and Proceedings 84:406–11.”
― John H. Miller, Complex Adaptive Systems: An Introduction to Computational Models of Social Life

“Kollman, Ken, John H. Miller, and Scott E. Page. 1992. “Adaptive Parties in Spatial Elections.” American Political Science Review 86:929–37.”
― John H. Miller, Complex Adaptive Systems: An Introduction to Computational Models of Social Life

“This raises the possibility of emergent cognitive depth: adaptive agents may learn to think just deeply enough to promote coordination in the system.”
― John H. Miller, Complex Adaptive Systems: An Introduction to Computational Models of Social Life

“If heterogeneity is a key feature of complex systems, then traditional social science tools—with their emphases on average behavior being representative of the whole—may be incomplete or even misleading.”
― John H. Miller, Complex Adaptive Systems: An Introduction to Computational Models of Social Life

“He intends only his own gain, and he is in this, as in many other cases, led by an invisible hand to promote an end which was no part of his intention. —Adam Smith, Wealth of Nations Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”
― John H. Miller, Complex Adaptive Systems: An Introduction to Computational Models of Social Life

“that is simple, neat and wrong. —H. L. Mencken Things should be made as simple as possible—but no simpler. —Albert Einstein”
― John H. Miller, Complex Adaptive Systems: An Introduction to Computational Models of Social Life

“For every complex problem, there is a solution”
― John H. Miller, Complex Adaptive Systems: An Introduction to Computational Models of Social Life

“If social worlds are truly complex, then we might need to recast our various attempts at understanding, predicting, and manipulating their behavior. In some cases, this recasting may require a radical revision of the various approaches that we traditionally employ to meet these ends.”
― John H. Miller, Complex Adaptive Systems: An Introduction to Computational Models of Social Life

“Therefore, democratic referenda are the best mechanisms for maximizing social welfare in a world consisting of only a single town. Oddly, when we allow additional towns into the system, democratic referenda no longer lead to the highest social welfare. In fact, the effectiveness of the different choice mechanisms is completely reversed, and democratic referenda become the worst possible institution rather than the best. (See figure 2.4.) Why does this happen?”
― John H. Miller, Complex Adaptive Systems: An Introduction to Computational Models of Social Life