The Four Principles
Summary table
Specialization
in computing
Polymorphic Messaging
in computing
Loading code
Interpreted code
in biology
Stigmergy
and "self"
in computing
in the Internet
Cell Suicide (Apoptosis)
in computing
Intertwined principles
Complexity
The problem
Out of control
Characterizing complexity
Dynamic complexity
Why the Biology Metaphor
Parallels with computing
Information processing
Encapsulation
Emergence
Example emergent systems
Multi-level emergence
in computing
in biology
Scale and emergence
Evolution
of computing
of multicellularity
Conclusions
Discussion & Comments
Multicellular architectures: parallels between life and
computing
Four principles of multicellular
systems -- These
architectural strategies for managing cooperation between cells emerged
more than 500 million years ago. They are rare in single cell
organisms yet nearly
universal in
multicellular organisms. And they each evolved before or
coincident with the
emergence
of multicellular life. Now they are re-emerging in the web of
cooperating computers.Specialization in Computing
-- Although there is a tendency to think of computers as general
purpose, most computers are in fact quite specialized already
2)
Polymorphic Messaging
-- the receiver, not the sender, determines meaning
Messaging
in biological systems -- the taboo
of intercellular transfer of genetic information
Messaging
in
multicellular computing -- code transfer should also be
taboo. Issues of loading code
and dealing with interpreted
code complicate matters.
3)
Stigmergy --
individual
parts of the system communicate by modifying their
local environment. The modifications become persistent cues for
other elements in the system
Stigmergy
and self -- self is defined by the
body-as-stigmergy-structure, not by the identities of the cells or an
immune system
Stigmergy in computing systems --
cues left in persistent stores, e.g., databases, network structures and
Web Services, organize multicellular computing
Novel stigmergy structures in
the Internet -- Stigmergy is the primary organizing force in the
Internet
4)
Programmed Cell Death
(apoptosis) -- Multicellular organisms protect and
even "sculpt" themselves during development by
programmed cell suicide
Apoptosis in Computing -- in
multicellular computing, the
individual computer must be willing to sacrifice itself for the good of
the larger organism. But old single-cell computing attitudes that
each computer is supreme will die slowlly.
How the four principles are intertwined -- the four principles co-evolved and are interdependent both as abstract architecural principles and as concrete implimentations within each cell.
Conclusions -- The evolution from single-cell to multicellular computing is happening. The Four Principles can smooth the transition.
Discussion and Comment -- some comments from various blogs
Background: The Underlying Problems of Complexity
A brief statement of the problem -- Complexity in the digital world is beyond our control, yet computing becomes ever more central to business and societyCharacterizing Complexity -- Dynamic complex systems inevitably become even more complex. But why? Turns out that's a deep question.
Dynamic Complexity -- Dynamic elements in a system that adapt to other dynamic elements create positive feedback loops and complex interdependencies
The need for Encapsulation -- both life and computing use encapsulation to limit unwanted dynamic interactions
The parallels between biology and computing -- Information processing, complexity, encapsulation and the evolution toward multicellularity
Biological information processing -- Cells process information in order to survive and thrive. How comparable are their capabilities to computers?
Background: Emergence and Evolution
Multi-Level Emergent
Complexity -- Complex systems inevitably evolve
multiple levels of complexity which are difficult to understand, and
even more difficult to predictMulti-Level
Biological Systems -- It took more than a dozen intermediate
stages/levels
of emergence to evolve multicellular life, and they all
still play a role in everyday living systems.
Multi-Level Computing Systems -- The evolution of computing systems is far shorter than the evolution of life, but now the two are merging!
Multi-Level Computing Systems -- The evolution of computing systems is far shorter than the evolution of life, but now the two are merging!
Scale and Emergence -- The tradeoff between the richness of possible interactions and the number of elements required in a system for emergence to generate new surprises.
Examples of Emergence -- Some familiar examples in nature: hurricanes, flocks of birds, and sand dunes
The evolution of multicellular systems -- From "training wheels" (biofilms) to full-blown multicellular life
Evolution, co-evolution and monoculture -- No matter how hard we try to engineer complex computing systems, they stubbornly insist upon evolving.