
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
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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
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
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 society
Characterizing
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
Out of control complexity
-- Once
complexity is out of control, it takes control
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 predict
Multi-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!
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.
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