The Ecology of Computation (Studies in Artificial Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, No. 2) [Hardcover]

B.A. Huberman (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0444703756 | ISBN-13: 978-0444703750 | Publication Date: March 1, 1988

Propelled by advances in software design and increasing connectivity, distributed computational systems are acquiring characteristics reminiscent of social and biological organizations. This volume is a collection of articles dealing with the nature, design and implementation of these open computational systems.

Although varied in their approach and methodology, the articles are related by the goal of understanding and building computational ecologies. They are grouped in three major sections. The first deals with general issues underlying open systems, studies of computational ecologies, and their similarities with social organizations. The second part deals with actual implementations of distributed computation, and the third discusses the overriding problem of designing suitable languages for open systems.

All the articles are highly interdisciplinary, emphasizing the application of ecological ideas, game theory, market mechanisms, and evolutionary biology in the study of open systems.

Editorial Reviews

Review

M.P. Wellman
...rich in both inspirational and applicable technical material...
Artificial Intelligence

Product Details

• Hardcover: 342 pages
• Publisher: North Holland (March 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0444703756
• ISBN-13: 978-0444703750
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,669,148 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Huberman's essay is worth the price of the book., February 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Ecology of Computation (Studies in Artificial Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, No. 2) (Hardcover)

Huberman shows that delay of information about other processors is sufficient to produce genuine chaos in distributed computer systems. He suggests this is true of cognitive production systems, i.e., organizations, as well. I call this phenomenon a Huberman game. Here's an example. A room full of people close their eyes and raise either one or two fingers. Assuming the split is not 50-50, which is most times, the majority must pay the minority a fine proportional to the difference. Repeat the process. Some of the majority, perhaps many, will change their gesture. If too many change they lose again. Absent communication they are unlikely to converge on a 50-50 equilibrium. Rather they will oscillate chaotically around it. This is the essence of commodity markets and business cycles generally. They are Huberman games driven by delay of information about what others are going to do. Classic economics has always admitted that its assumption of perfect information was false, but we never knew what difference it made. I think Huberman has solved that puzzle.