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Having done some work with genetic algorithms, I was very excited to read a book by John Holland. I was hoping to learn more about how to create models of complex systems and how new behavior can be exhibited by computer programs that were not inherent in the programmer's intent or design.
I certainly came away with knowledge of how to create models because that seemed to be the main point that Professor Holland made throughout the book. Don't get me wrong. Modeling is critically important to understanding the world we live in and the phenomena we observe in the world. I just had no idea from the title or the blurbs that modeling would be such a central theme. In a way it is reassuring since modeling is something that I am very comfortable with, and to me, relatively straight forward.
The book covers such novel concepts as cell assemblies, anticipation, signaling, and indefinite memory in relatively easy to understand language. There is a fair amount of dense mathematical notation that adds a bit of depth if you are comfortable with the subject matter, but can be skipped by the casual reader. I also like the point Professor Holland made about macrolaws and microlaws - that once basic structures and patterns are in place (microlaws), emergent, higher level structures and patterns emerge (macrolaws) that can be explained without reverting back to a knowledge of the microlaws. This provides a road map to understanding more about emergent behavior as we better develop and understand the microlaws describing emergent behavior.
I do think that some of the material was repetitive. Although many reviewers liked the last chapter or two, the end of the book seemed to drag on for me. It was a combination of recap (which is fine), and a philosophical discourse on innovation and creativity. The material was fine, but it seemed just tacked on at the end, and was less interesting to me than the rest of the book.
I have not yet read "Hidden Order", so I cannot compare the two books. Overall, I am very glad I read the book. I learned many new concepts regarding emergent behavior, and reinforced my prior knowledge about things like neural nets, genetic algorithms, and game trees.
- Series: Helix Books
- Paperback: 272 pages
- Publisher: Basic Books (April 23, 1999)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0738201421
- ISBN-13: 978-0738201429
- Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.7 x 8.5 inches
- Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
- Average Customer Review: 11 customer reviews
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Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
#432,927 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #52 in Chaos Theory
- #121 in Game Theory (Books)
- #136 in System Theory
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