Self-Organization in Nonequilibrium Systems: From Dissipative Structures to Order through Fluctuations by G. Nicolis (Repost)

Description

The emphasis of classical physics has consistently been stability. Yet, today’s thinking has evolved to the realization that such a qualification applies only to limited aspects. Because evolutionary processes lead to vast diversification and increasing complexity, the behavior of a macroscopic system with many interacting subunits can substantially differ from the random superposition of the independent subunits’ evolution. This monograph explores the self-organization phenomena arising in such systems. While relatively new, this field of investigation already encompasses a wide range of problems from chemistry to biology and population dynamics. With emphasis on nonlinear interactions and non-equilibrium constraints, the authors explain how departures from incoherent behavior are induced.