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The Emergence of Complex Structures, Including ‘Entropy Bagels’, Through Simple Rules | Quanta Magazine

Republished By Plato
Republished By Plato

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The Emergence of Complex Structures, Including ‘Entropy Bagels’, Through Simple Rules

Complexity is a fascinating phenomenon that can be observed in various systems, from the intricate patterns on a seashell to the complex behavior of a flock of birds. Scientists have long been intrigued by how such complexity arises from simple rules and interactions. Recent research has shed light on this intriguing topic, revealing how complex structures, including the enigmatic ‘entropy bagels,’ can emerge from seemingly straightforward processes.

In a study published in the journal Nature Physics, researchers from the Santa Fe Institute and the University of California, Davis, explored the emergence of complex structures through simple rules. They used a mathematical model known as a cellular automaton, which consists of a grid of cells that can be in different states. Each cell follows a set of rules based on its current state and the states of its neighboring cells.

The researchers discovered that by applying simple rules to the cellular automaton, they could generate complex structures that resembled bagels. These structures were dubbed ‘entropy bagels’ due to their resemblance to the popular baked goods. The term ‘entropy’ refers to the measure of disorder or randomness in a system, and it is intriguing that such complex structures can arise from simple rules that increase entropy.

To understand how these entropy bagels form, it is essential to delve into the underlying principles. The researchers found that the emergence of these structures is driven by a delicate balance between order and disorder. Initially, the cellular automaton starts with a highly ordered state, where all cells have the same value. As the simple rules are applied iteratively, the system undergoes a phase transition, leading to the formation of complex patterns.

The researchers observed that the entropy bagels emerged when the system reached a critical point during this phase transition. At this critical point, the system exhibits a delicate balance between order and disorder, resulting in the formation of intricate structures. The bagels are characterized by concentric rings of different states, with each ring representing a different level of entropy.

What makes this discovery even more intriguing is that the emergence of entropy bagels is not limited to a specific set of initial conditions or rules. The researchers found that by varying the initial conditions and rules, they could generate a wide range of complex structures, including bagels with different numbers of rings and even other intricate patterns.

The study’s findings have significant implications for various fields, including physics, biology, and computer science. Understanding how complex structures can emerge from simple rules can help scientists gain insights into the behavior of complex systems in nature. It can also inspire the development of new algorithms and computational models that mimic the emergence of complexity.

Moreover, the study highlights the importance of phase transitions in complex systems. Phase transitions occur when a system undergoes a sudden change in its properties due to small changes in external conditions. By studying phase transitions, scientists can uncover the underlying mechanisms that drive the emergence of complexity.

The emergence of entropy bagels through simple rules exemplifies the beauty and intricacy of nature’s design. It demonstrates that complex structures can arise from seemingly straightforward processes, challenging our understanding of how order and disorder interact. As scientists continue to explore this fascinating topic, we can expect further insights into the emergence of complexity and its implications for various scientific disciplines.

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