Topic 8b - Self-Organizing Systems

Question 1

Definition

Answer 1

• Emergent patterns that are the result of a system rather than the explicit “purpose” of it
• Process by which a high-level pattern emerges purely as a result of low-level interactions

Question 2

Termite Mounds

Answer 2

• Termite mounds are incredibly complex and have lots of sophisticated structures, but termites obviously can’t “plan”
• The organization can’t be planned, and it also can’t be imposed by some mystical force

Question 3

Termite Gathering Simulation

Answer 3

• Termites have no programming except to pick up wood chips, and then wander until they find more wood chips and put them down there
• The “rules” have nothing to do with building mounds, but mounds will be formed
• There is no representation of the mounds
• Distributed process without a central controller

Question 4

Boids Flocking

Answer 4

• Birds fly around with a few rules: They don’t bump into each other, they follow other birds, and they don’t leave the group for no reason
• Flocking occurs with no real leader

Question 5

iRobot Flocking

Answer 5

• Series of roomba-style robots are let loose in a little pen with a bunch of square boxes, with no additional programming beyond their wandering routine
• The boxes will eventually accumulate like in the termite simulation because the shape of the boxes simply lends itself to organization after a while

Question 6

Cellular Slime Molds

Answer 6

• Tiny amoebae combine to form slug-like things that seem to work as one creature
• Amoebae don’t have brains

Question 7

Why this all matters

Answer 7

• The construction of the brain (which neurons connect to each other) is likely a self-organizing system
• Neurons that attach to the eye will probably relate to eyesight because that’s the signal they’re receiving