With theory, we can separate fundamental characteristics from fascinating idiosyncrasies and incidental features. Theory supplies landmarks and guideposts, and we begin to know what to observe and where to act. John Henry Holland More Quotes by John Henry Holland More Quotes From John Henry Holland Evolution continually innovates, but at each level it conserves the elements that are recombined to yield the innovations. John Henry Holland yield innovation elements Model building is the art of selecting those aspects of a process that are relevant to the question being asked. As with any art, this selection is guided by taste, elegance, and metaphor; it is a matter of induction, rather than deduction. High science depends on this art. John Henry Holland taste matter art If we are to understand the interactions of a large number of agents, we must first be able to describe the capabilities of individual agents. John Henry Holland able numbers firsts Holland's and Kauffman's work, together with Dawkins' simulations of evolution and Varela's models of autopoietic systems, provide essential inspiration for the new discipline of artificial life, This approach, initiated by Chris Langton (1989, 1992), tries to develop technological systems (computer programs and autonomous robots) that exhibit lifelike properties, such as reproduction, sexuality, swarming, and co-evolution. John Henry Holland discipline working-together inspiration The recycling of resource by the aggregate behavior of a diverse array of agents is much more than the sum of the individual actions. John Henry Holland recycling agents action If there is to be a competition, there must be some basis for resolving it. It is also clear that the competition should be experienced based. John Henry Holland clear competition should nonlinear interactions almost always make the behavior of the aggregate more complicated than would be predicted by summing or averaging. John Henry Holland behavior complicated would-be This use of building blocks to generate internal models is a pervasive feature of complex adaptive systems. John Henry Holland building block use Unwrapping occurs when the "solution" is explicitly built into the program from the start. John Henry Holland program built solutions From the point of view of physics, it is a miracle that [seven million New Yorkers are fed each day] without any control mechanism other than sheer capitalism. John Henry Holland miracle each-day views The measure of performance of any given agent is the amount of money it accumulates through its actions. John Henry Holland agents given action Looking back to data, we can see if the consequences are plausible; looking forward to theory, we can see if general principles are suggested. John Henry Holland looking-forward data principles When a new building block is discovered, the result is usually a range of innovations. John Henry Holland building innovation block The multiplier effect is a major feature of networks and flows. It arises regardless of the particular nature of the resource, be it goods, money, or messages. John Henry Holland arise flow messages Particular individuals do not recur, but their building blocks do. John Henry Holland individual building block