THis is interesting. I have seen riifs on it before and often think of the "simple rules create complex behavior" that Steven Johnson wrote about. It is also in the models you can play with on Netlogo.
Maybe the movements need more "simple rules" or mix up the simple rules that guide the movement today. What are the rules that shape advocacy and social change efforts today? What should they be to encourage faster emergence?
Link: elearnspace.
Eric Beinhocker tackled the impact of complex behavioural outcomes through swarm-based behaviour in Origin of Wealth (a book that has received far less attention than it deserves). It would appear that functioning in truly complex spaces moves us beyond centralized vs. decentralized debates, and puts us instead in a philosophy of simple rules, local activity, and high levels of connections/contact. The most overwhelming problems can be attended to with this simple model. The solution is not something we work on directly...instead it emerges when we attend to the individual elements.
