Organizations and their Effectiveness (2019)/autocatalysis
Assumption 1: Complex nodes require either complex inputs, complex transformations, or a conveniently-arranged environment to be reproduced in self-sustaining cycles.
- e.g., nodeComplexity ~ f(inputComplexity, cycleComplexity, environmentStructure)
- Where f is increasing in each of the three variables and has some degree of substitutability between them
Assumption 2: Simple cycles are more robust (i.e., survivable) than complex cycles
Theorem 1a: Complex nodes are more likely to be produced in low-entropy environments
Theorem 1b: Complex nodes are more likely to be produced in environments rich in complex inputs
Assumption 3: Environmental entropy can only be [is most easily?] lowered by autocatalytic cycles
Theorem 2: Complex nodes are more likely to be produced in cycles that are near* cycles which lower the entropy of the environment (Stigmergy)
Theorem 3: Complex nodes are more likely to be produced in cycles that are near* cycles which produce complex nodes, giving them access to complex inputs (multiple networks)
Assumption 4: A cycle interacting with another cycle is more likely to change than one interacting with a simple environment.
Theorem 4: Therefore, the very conditions that support the survival of complex-node-producing cycles (e.g., stigmergy links or I/O links to other cycles) increase the likelihood of the cycle changing. Also, we should look to these links to identify the source of cycle change.
* "near" is imprecise, and Jon had a critique of its meaning]