How Nature Works

The Science of Self-Organized Criticality

By: Per Bak, P. Bak

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Hardcover | 1 June 1996

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240 Pages

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24.77 x 15.88 x 2.54

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and acknowledgments Self-organized criticality is a new way of viewing nature. The basic picture is one where nature is perpetually out of balance, but organized in a poised state-the critical state-where anything can happen within well-defined statistical laws. The aim of the science of self-organized criticality is to yield insight into the fundamental question of why nature is complex, not simple, as the laws of physics imply. Self-organized criticality explains some ubiquitous patterns existing in nature that we view as complex. Fractal structure and catastrophic events are among those regularities. Applications range from the study of pulsars and black holes to earthquakes and the evolution of life. One intriguing conse- quence of the theory is that catastrophes can occur for no reason whatsoever. Mass extinctions may take place without any external triggering mechanism such as a volcanic eruption or a meteorite hitting the earth (although the the- ory of course cannot rule out that this has in fact occurred). xu How Nature Works Since we first proposed the idea in 1987, more than 2, ooo papers have been written on self-organized criticality, making ours the most cited paper in physics during that period. How Nature Works is the first book to deal with the subject. The basic idea is simple, and most of the mathematical models that have been used in the implementation of the theory are not complicated.

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..."written with panache. The style is brisk, the content stimulating. I recommend it as a bracing experience." - New Scientist
"This lively book, the title of which is admittedly provocative, is full of anecdotes about how science is being made and its style reflects the strong personality of its author." - Endeavour

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You Can Find This Book In

Non-Fiction Reference, Information & Interdisciplinary Subjects Research & Information Information theory Cybernetics & Systems Theory Science Physics Science in General Biology, Life Sciences Mathematics Applied Mathematics Chaos Theory

Calculus & Mathematical Analysis Earth Sciences, Geography, Environment, Planning Earth Sciences Chemistry Physical Chemistry

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Paperback

Published: 1st May 1999

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Preface and Acknowledgments
Complexity and Criticality	p. 1
The Discovery of Self-Organized Criticality	p. 33
The Sandpile Paradigm	p. 49
Real Sandpiles and Landscape Formation	p. 65
Earthquakes, Starquakes, and Solar Flares	p. 85
The "Game of Life": Complexity Is Criticality	p. 105
Is Life a Self-Organized Critical Phenomenon?	p. 113
Mass Extinctions and Punctuated Equilibria in a Simple Model of Evolution	p. 129
Theory of the Punctuated Equilibrium Model	p. 161
The Brain	p. 175
On Economics and Traffic Jams	p. 183
Bibliography	p. 199
Index	p. 207
Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved.

How Nature Works

The Science of Self-Organized Criticality

At a Glance

Hardcover

Industry Reviews

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How to return your order

Defective items

You Can Find This Book In

Other Editions and Formats

Paperback

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