Designing the Future of Complexity Science

Satellite Workshop and Champagne Debate

ECCS’08 Jerusalem, 15th September 2008

Abstract

The Embracing Complexity in Design research programme in the UK has established the central part the complex systems science has to play in design. Designing complex socio-technical needs science. The processes for building and managing complex systems are themselves complex, and need the new science. The environment in which systems are designed and managed are complex – regulation, fashion, economic, social mood. Design is itself a cocreative complex socio-cognitive process.

But, the science of complex systems needs design for in-vivo experiment!

Most complex systems scientists cannot do experiments. They do not have the mandate or the money to experiment on big systems. Only politicians and policy makers have the moral authority and millions or billions of Euros needed to change socio-technical systems such as a city, the climate, a health service, homeland security, a transportation system, an economy, or a military conflict. Policy involves knowing what the system ought to be – the requirements. Policy involves prediction that actions now will satisfy the requirements later. But the requirement change as the project develops: in design the problem and solution coevolve. The concept of ‘prediction’ has to be completely redefined in this context.

A number of speakers will introduce these ideas during the first part of the workshop. During the second part of the workshop we will debate the proposition

Complex Systems Science Ends Without Design

Please join us, especially if you disagree.

Champagne will be served!

Workshop Program

16:40 Talks

17:40 Start the debate

18:50 Take the vote, announce the outcome

19:00 Close the session and Champagne in Wise Gallery

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