Editing 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.
''

'''Jon Comments:''' 
A1: What do you mean by complex nodes? That they exist in multiple network structures? And inputs? 
A2: True, if simple means the length of the cycle and/or the number of subcycles. And if survival means lasts longer before transitioning to a different, simpler topology.
T1a: Hm, interpreting this with the above definitions is hard.
T1B: Ditto
A3: To me, autocatalysis is interesting when starting with low entropy. Higher entropy implies the self-organization process has already happened. So all cycles should start with low entropy and then we see where it goes from there.

Other As and Ts: prolly better after we talk some more.

In general, I think the 4th (i think) chapter in the book, the multiple network models, is far too speculative and has a tendency to put the horse before the cart in that it assumes the order we wish to explain.



<nowiki>*</nowiki> "near" is imprecise, and Jon had a critique of its meaning]