Chapter 13 Qin He Cybernetics (1)

Quantity can bring about essential differences. A grain of sand cannot cause the collapse of a sand dune, but once enough sand is accumulated, a sand dune will appear, which can also trigger a sand collapse. Some physical properties, such as temperature, also depend on the collective behavior of molecules. A lonely molecule in the space does not have a precise temperature. Temperature should be considered a group characteristic of a certain number of molecules. Although temperature is also a feature of emergencies, it can still be accurately measured, or even predictable. It is real. The scientific community has long believed that there are major differences in the behavior of a large number of individuals and a small number of individuals. Clustered individuals have nurtured the necessary complexity to produce emerging things. As the number of members increases, the possible interactions between two or more members grow exponentially. When the connection degree is high and the number of members is large, the dynamic characteristics of group behavior are produced. - Quantitative change causes qualitative change.

Norbert Wiener (norbert wiener, 1894.11.26-1964.03.08): American mathematician, academician of the American Academy of Sciences, and the founder of cybernetics.

There are two extreme ways to produce "more". One way is to build the system in the idea of ​​sequential operation, just like the assembly line of a factory. The principle of this type of sequential system is similar to the internal logic of a clock - a series of complex actions reflecting the passage of time. Most mechanical systems follow this logic.

There is another extreme way. We found that many systems splice together parts of parallel operation, much like brain neuron networks or ant colonies. The actions of such systems are generated from a large number of messy and related events. They are no longer driven in discrete ways and appear in discrete ways like clocks, but more like thousands of clockworks driving a parallel system. Since there is no instruction chain, a specific action of any clockwork will be passed to the entire system, and the local performance of the system is more easily concealed by the overall performance of the system. What emerges from the group is no longer a series of key individual behaviors, but a number of synchronous actions. The group pattern shown by these synchronous actions is much more important. This is the cluster model.

Both extremes of organization exist only in theory, because all systems in real life are a mixture of these two extremes. Some large systems tend to be sequential modes (such as factories), while others tend to be network modes (such as telephone systems).

"In this way, the three-body person should be closer to the sequential pattern." 660 concluded after the analysis.

"Yes, there is a dynasty in our Chinese history that is extremely close to this model. This dynasty is the Great Qin. In this dynasty, almost all people live like machines. It is a high degree of order, and all uncertainties are suppressed, but are they really suppressed?" 015 asked back.

"It must not be suppressed. Otherwise, Qin would have lasted for many years." 660 said seriously.

015 moved his lips: "The Qin Dynasty is too extreme. The later dynasties learned lessons and dared not be as strict as Qin again. Many historians whitewashed the Qin Dynasty. In fact, the Qin Dynasty is indeed great, but it is fragile after all. The reason why the Qin Dynasty is fragile is because it lacks anti-fragility. The entire Qin Dynasty is really too orderly! It is like piles of neatly discharged gasoline barrels, with gasoline barrels and gasoline barrels next to each other, which saves space, but a Mars may shine on the world."

(End of this chapter)
Chapter completed!