Complexity what?! How to make sense of Complexity Science
I came across this image entitled “Map of Complexity Sciences” by Brian Castellani about 3 years ago and, at the time, I was finishing my bachelor's studies in psychology.
When I looked at this image, I got extremely fascinated but, at the same time, a bit overwhelmed: how can someone actually create such a succinct but at the same time accessible, colorful, and informative map that comprehends such a broad span of scientific fields? I started learning more about some of these areas but, eventually, I lost track of it…
Then life happened but somehow it was always pushing me in the direction of the concepts and ideas embedded in this map.
That’s when I found out the 2021 version of this same map recently, which looks like this:
I looked at it and my first thought was “I should have looked at this map a bit deeper before…”. I almost passed out once I saw this “complexity” science map became even more complex and detailed. Somehow, the feeling I had looking at this map was a bit different than before. It impacted me in the same way, creating that “aww” and amazement moment but, this time, I was a lot more prepared to face the ideas embedded here.
As that famous proverb goes “The best time to plant a tree was 30 years ago, and the second best time to plant a tree is now”. So that is going to be my challenge this time: to make a bit more sense of the ideas present in this map and make sure. I don’t aim for mastery or any type of excellence in terms of understanding these ideas, all I want to is to be better than my older self and make sure, 30 years from now, I can collect the fruits of this tree I am planting now.
Why am I using this map as a reference?
As written in the legend description of this map, “This map is a macroscopic, trans-disciplinary introduction to the complexity sciences”.
For the ones who would like to get their minds around complexity science, this map provides enough structure to guide beginners to make sense of the main areas in this domain. I’ve come across a few other maps like this but this one speaks to me the most. If you want to know more details about this map, the “Sociology and Complexity Science Blog” provided an article explaining in detail the main features of this map. You can read it further here.
Why am I doing this?
I think that we all need to have something to strive towards and these concepts, ever since I’ve got in contact with them, have opened up my mind so much and in so many ways that I think, the least I can do, is to be able to make more sense of those ideas in a coherent, practical and effective way. Every time I go back to my Ikigai, complexity theory fits itself in the “things I am passionate about”
How am I going to follow this map?
As they also explain in the legend and in their blog, “It should be read left to right, moving from the early 1900s to the present” so that’s exactly what I am going to do. Starting from the “Mathematics of Complexity” fields and moving towards the right, the same process will happen with “Systems Theory” and so on until “Artificial Intelligence”, finishing on “Interdisciplinary Methods”.
How to hold myself accountable?
That’s the part that gets difficult for me… but something I need to overcome: accountability. If I don’t have something or someone to hold myself accountable, I probably won’t continue this journey. That’s why I need you to join me in this research and discussion path!
In this group, I will share ideas and enable an open space for you all to join and share your insights with more people.
Join me and others in this space right here: https://bit.ly/44tBZGb
