On the Scale and Unity of Life from Cells to Cities

Life is the most complex phenomenon in the universe. Yet, remarkably, many of its most complex attributes scale with size in a surprisingly simple fashion. As we look at organisms from the tiniest to the largest, lifespans and growth rates, for example, increase with exponents which are typically simple powers of 1/4. Geoffrey West, president of the Sante Fe Institute, shows how these scaling laws follow from fundamental generic principles embedded in the dynamical and geometrical structure of underlying networks, leading to a general quantitative theory that captures essential features of many diverse biological systems. He then extends these ideas to discuss urban systems: to what extent are cities an extension of biology?

Category:

Education

[DanMan7997]

This was very interesting research. It's a comforting notion that these incredibly complex systems scale in a predictable manner, it makes them seem more comprehensible.

[Stickstacks12]

Craziness? You do realize the computer you're using to debase science is only sitting in front of you because of numerous scientific breakthroughs? Right?

Also , true science isn't a belief system like religion, so they can't be compared in the way you've described.

[MadsterV]

@rasmasood Holy War.

That'll be all.

[MadsterV]

@rasmasood yet, Science acknowleges the existence of pores and provides a method to progressively reduce them.

Please refer to the scientific method.

[SubRider618]

Very interesting data - but the speaker does the same old thing done by so many who miss the mark: he "congratulates" natural selection as if it were a great plan of some sort - while the whole idea of Darwinian evolution is that there IS NO PLAN, and that no plan is needed to guide life (except that random mutation and all other Darwinian precepts will go on forever, FOR SOME REASON, until life itself is over).

That says faith without faith, and design without a Designer, i.e., malarkey.

[rasmasood]

Do you reaize how many aids drug addict alcolic drunk driving war related etc. etc Billion DEATHS would be saved .IF ALL FOLOWED SCRIPTURES DILIGENTLY AS SCIENCE

Not to minimize Science{ not to be awed )by greatest creater than Bil Gates & company The hidden power of Nature known as GOD to people like me . I dont see God as Stick & Carrot way of complience but win win benefit cost ratio .You have less pleaure drinking gambling killing but look at the benefit no less achiement than science .

[rasmasood]

In the interest of time saving for more responsible usefull use he is crazy .Life too short for these craziness

[rasmasood]

science is a religion by itself .You can put all your eggs in the porous basket of 'rationality '.In the end its the insecurity of any believe tries to justify it self either by SCIENCE or by miracles ,The basket of Science is porous too!