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Hey again guys,
In Anticipatory Systems Robert discusses a number of specific
encodings for biological systems in chapter/section 3.5. I'm not going to
take the time to type it in because I can be lazy, and I think everyone
here should help support the effort by getting a copy from Judith, like I
did. :) But I'll list the specific encodings that Robert
mentions.
examples: (1) mass-action metaphors, (2)
morphogenetic metaphors, (2A) metaphors for the emergence of heterogeneity, (2B)
phase transitions and phase seperations as morphogenetic metaphors, (2C)
Metaphoric aspects of genetic control, (3) Metaphors for the central nervous
system, (3A) two-factor metaphors, (3B) McCulloch-Pitts networks, (4) Relations
between the morphogenetic and brain-theoretic metaphors, (5) A relational
metaphor: The Rechevsky principle of biotopological mapping, and last but not
least (6) another relational metaphor: The (M,R)-systems.
These are all examples of specific encodings of
biological systems in Roberts own words.
For me the premier example of a decoding is, of
course, induced emergence. It's reaching into "the ambience" and
establishing a living system. But this only one example.
For me among the anticipated fruits of
understanding would be the ability to both predict (in the form of correctly
placed odds) what approaches would likely succeed at induced emergence and the
ability to explain these predictions using a variety of metaphors like those
above. Ever sharper intuition.
David
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