TEDxRotterdam - Igor Nikolic - Complex adaptive systems

Igor Nikolic graduated in 2009 on his dissertation: co-evolutionary process for modelling large scale socio-technical systems evolution. He received his MSc as a chemical-- and bioprocess engineer at the Delft University of Technology. He spent several years as an environmental researcher and consultant at University of Leiden where he worked on life cycle analysis and industrial ecology. In his research he specializes in applying complex adaptive systems theory and agent based modeling.
On TEDxRotterdam Igor Nikolic left the audience in awe with his stunning presentation and visualizations, mapping complex systems.
About TEDx, x = independently organized event
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)

[@toyyibatyussuph132]

this is one of the most amazing thing i am seeing this year, and it has really challenged my thinking and outlook of things, complex adaptive systems will change everything, absolutely everything if we can implement it in various aspects of our lives. Everyone needs to watch this for sure.

[@CollinBunch]

This is a great tool to introduce the concept of complex systems to leaders within organizations.

[@blackbird5634]

the visual aid helps dramatically creating an image viewers like me, with limited scientific knowledge, can respond to.

[@Xasperato]

With the growing of knowledge of complex systems, the realization that complex systems exist literally everywhere will too. With that realization will come the ability to understand and manipulate our world with precision and awareness previously unheard of. Everything's going to change. Everything.

[@Xasperato]

***** All models are wrong, but some are useful. The worst thing I can imagine is a "cure-all", I hope this adventure of discovery and invention of better models continues forever. We may be capable of understanding what we have never previously understood, but that doesn't mean we'll understand it all, because there's just so much to understand.

[@noodlenate]

+A certain Ghork I agree. I think that this type of knowledge is extremely important to developing an understanding of our modern world and knowledge structures! It's knowledge of knowledge. It's extremely powerful. I'm obsessed with systems theory, homeokinetics, emergent properties and the like for the reasons you listed above. These systems are fractal, pervasive.

[@rinhmuseum]

I recently discovered this insight after several transformations in thinking. Incredible

[@TheBuddyLama]

"Manipulate"? What could go wrong?!

[@machetebasterd]

loved the early spring snap of 2008, brilliant talk also.

[@thomasjones5636]

Enjoyed this. Thanks for posting.

[@captainkirk1378]

Need to watch this one again to get the most out of it.

[@caitlynregina]

Oh wow, THANK YOU for this wonderful talk.

[@SarahVerwei]

we can all model some of these systems in our society to make a little difference and this is more about mapping or modelling or framing it is more about shifting in our self, knowing our self more, thinking about this video about co evolutionary process for modelling so I love this video from this engineer from Delft University

[@edipulucay9776]

The background music playing from 13:40 on-wards is a killer.Track ID please!

[@yaukwankiu]

cool. but what exactly was the web near the end?

[@ThePowerExcess]

Nice overview of complexity science concepts, sensitivity to initial conditions, agent based modelling etc, but was the 'mystical' music (or any music) really necessary?

[@hugo-livet]

It could be seen as an artistic performance !

[@user-rf6yc9jm1s]

THIS COMMENT SECTION BELONGS TO MARCHEV & MARCHEV & THEIR BRILLIANT STUDENTS !!!

[@live767evil]

what is the animation at 7:10 called- the idea of visualizing possibilities like that is amazing!

[@iderayoub]

Data visualization ? Creative Coding ? Maybe both but these are just suggestions for I am not sure about what is it called

[@MumblingMickey]

So essentially there is nothing to stop the current model of say political governance by a rigid hierarchy... from being replaced with a bottom up model based on something like a social network? And although (in my hypothetical government idea) it would make mistakes, over time it would bootstrap itself to solutions that our current systems can't do because of its rigid linear top down structure?

[@attilamaradi]

I partly disagree because even though there is feedback mechanism (or should be) the ones who are in control are the ones who legislate laws.

[@ThePowerExcess]

Not necessarily. Read up on forest fires in the US and the California electricity market spikes. In both cases the legislators were confident in their legislation, but they fell victims to the system dynamics.

[@derrickmillion]

where could i find these visuals? i plan on doing a presentation similar to this project, and would be very grateful if i could have access to this :)

[@tankalvin1444]

How had things changed so far

[@filthracer1476]

Holy Cow.

[@atthehops]

Let me suggest the talks by Jeremy Rifkin, "The Third Industrial Revolution."

[@StephenPaulKing]

One huge bottleneck to Progress is the Dunbar Number, it limits how the dimensions of data, and thus the information, that any one person can access and process. Could we increase this?

[@NourianPeters]

Depends how you look at it. A way to increase this in a sense is by getting people together in a different way. With relation to agent based modelling or other kinds of simulation modelling this can take the shape of participatory modelling processes where groups of people build a model, allowing for integration of more kinds of information. Here you could have multiple parties send a representative to focus on a small topic. You discuss main lines of what should be modelled. These people then go back to their own respective organisation to conceptualise their own piece of the pie further or even model it as a sub-model, to be used in a multi-model ecology. Here they can use the information pool and processing from colleagues. If each representative does this the representatives only need to know each other to create a simulation of a large socio technical system with a lot of detail and thought behind it from a small army of people.

[@infowarior7236]

if u listen closely he says that when you turn on a switch that the power plants come on and begin to generate electricity where it is then pumped to your house....i know it was a mistake but still stupid

[@l-y-d-s]

We can't know whether the universe is alive or not, any more than we can prove the existence of a god. The dichotomy of if its dead exploit it and if its alive worship it seems too confined. We need to balance both impulses.

[@mydude457]

"Life is a characteristic distinguishing physical entities having biological processes (such as signaling and self-sustaining processes) from those that do not." The definition of life has great variance and isn't very solidified. However comparing some of the systems discussed in the video with that definition they seam to be alive (or at least and more importantly life like). If we can model some of these systems as complex adaptive systems then we can use such models to simulate and emulate; Thus giving us tools to predict, make well informed modifications and grasp a better understanding of such systems. Its not about if the system is alive or dead that is being discussed, its whether the rules that govern agents create the complex systems of the universe which can not be defined by solid rules at any level of abstraction other then the agents themselves.

[@StephenPaulKing]

Is Igor the son of Danko?

[@Hilly_Billy15]

Hi dad! 😂

[@MumblingMickey]

wtf? you must have been looking at a different video...

[@Dan-ud8hz]

pssst.... p =/= np

[@TheBuddyLama]

Yet? ;)

[@Lvillalobos00]

Theories of how God created the heavens and the Earth are fun.

[@WSFM_Rex]

Ted Talks are one of the worst things I've ever been forced to watch change my mind.