Everyday Examples of Emergence
- By Peter Tyson
- Posted 07.01.07
- NOVA scienceNOW
What is the phenomenon known as emergence? Birds, atmospheric disturbances, and city dwellers self-organize, giving rise to flocks, hurricanes, and distinct neighborhoods. Such entirely new properties and behaviors "emerge," with no one directing and no one able to foresee the new characteristics from knowledge of the constituents alone. In this slide show, see how emergence pervades our world.
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From bird flock to slime mold, chess to consciousness, see emergence in action all around us.
Credits
- Original interview produced by
- Carla Denly
Images
- (starlings)
- © istockphoto.com/Tomas Jensen/In Situ Foto
- (ants)
- © istockphoto.com/Klaas Lingbeek-van Kranen
- (slime mold)
- © istockphoto.com/Laurie Knight
- (wave)
- © istockphoto.com/David Freund/David G. Freund Photography
- (hurricane)
- Courtesy Hal Pierce, Laboratory for Atmospheres, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
- (city)
- © istockphoto.com/Donald Swartz
- (stock market)
- © Charles O'Rear/CORBIS
- (chess board)
- © istockphoto.com/Rene Mansi/www.urbancow.com
- (statue with gears)
- © Comstock Select/CORBIS
- (baby)
- © Tom Grill/CORBIS
Related Links
-
Emergence
How does the "intelligence" of an ant colony or the stock market arise out of the simple actions of its members?
-
Emergence: Expert Q&A
John Holland of the Santa Fe Institute answers questions about this mysterious phenomenon.
-
Bird Brains
Clues to the origins of human language are turning up in the brains of birds.
-
The Waggle Dance
Watch David Pogue shake his money maker like a honeybee.
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