Join us for the lecture by CSH External Faculty member W. Brian Arthur on May 22 at 4pm in the Salon at CSH.
Abstract:
Francois Jacob once remarked that “In our universe, matter is arranged in a hierarchy of structures by successive integrations.” In fact, many systems evolve by combining some of their elements to form new elements, which then become available for yet further combinations. Professor Arthur calls this mechanism Combinatorial Evolution.
He will discuss how it works in the evolution of technology, mathematics, and genetic regulatory networks; and will demonstrate an algorithm for the automatic creation of “libraries” of useful objects.
About W. Brian Arthur:
Brian is an economist and complexity theorist, best known for his early theoretical work on increasing returns in the economy and their role in locking markets in to the domination of one or two players. He is one of the founders of the Santa Fe Institute, and served many years on its Science Board and Board of Trustees. Recently he has investigated technology and innovation in his book The Nature of Technology, What it Is and How it Evolves (2009).
Arthur is the recipient of the inaugural Lagrange Prize in Complexity Science in 2008, the Schumpeter Prize in Economics in 1990, and two honorary doctorates. He has been Morrison Professor of Economics and Population Studies at Stanford, and Citibank Professor at the Santa Fe Institute. He is a Fellow of the Econometric Society. His other books are Increasing Returns and Path Dependence in the Economy (1994), and Complexity and the Economy, (2014).