Evolution of Evolution of Complex Complex SystemsSystems

Lecture 1: IntroductionLecture 1: Introduction

Peter Andras / Bruce CharltonPeter Andras / Bruce Charlton

peter.andras@ncl.ac.ukpeter.andras@ncl.ac.uk

bruce.charlton@ncl.ac.ukbruce.charlton@ncl.ac.uk

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ObjectivesObjectives

Topics of interest:Topics of interest: Biological evolutionBiological evolution Evolution of the education systemEvolution of the education system Advances in computer programmingAdvances in computer programming

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BacteriaBacteria

Unicellular organisms, most of the Unicellular organisms, most of the genome is made up of protein encoding genome is made up of protein encoding sequencessequences

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MedusaMedusa

Multi-cellular filter feeders with tissues Multi-cellular filter feeders with tissues and organsand organs

(www.junglewalk.com)

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MouseMouse

Many tissues organised in a wide Many tissues organised in a wide range of organsrange of organs

(www.junglewalk.com)

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MonkeysMonkeys

Complex animals with some social structureComplex animals with some social structure

(www.junglewalk.com)

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HumansHumans

Complex animals with extensive Complex animals with extensive social structuresocial structure

(www.maltavista.net)(www.johnmcmullin.com)

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What are the common What are the common features ?features ?

What are common in various What are common in various biological systems: genes, cells, biological systems: genes, cells, tissues, organs, organisms ?tissues, organs, organisms ?

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What drives the evolution of What drives the evolution of biological systems ?biological systems ?

How did we develop from How did we develop from bacteria ?bacteria ?

How can we describe the evolution How can we describe the evolution of biological systems ?of biological systems ?

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What are the boundaries of What are the boundaries of evolutionary units ?evolutionary units ?

Are the units of evolution cells, Are the units of evolution cells, tissues, organisms ?tissues, organisms ?

Consider bacteria, cat, cancer, ant Consider bacteria, cat, cancer, ant colony, etc.colony, etc.

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How can we link biological How can we link biological and social systems ?and social systems ?

Complex social systems: humans, Complex social systems: humans, monkeys, bees, antsmonkeys, bees, ants

Simpler social systems in other Simpler social systems in other animalsanimals

How do social systems emerge How do social systems emerge from interaction of biological from interaction of biological systemssystems

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What is the role of What is the role of communication and communication and information ?information ?

Genes, proteins, nervous systemGenes, proteins, nervous system

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Education as family Education as family socialisationsocialisation

Ancient times to middle ages: learning Ancient times to middle ages: learning at home as part of regular socialisationat home as part of regular socialisation

(atschool.eduweb.co.uk)

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Literacy and numeracyLiteracy and numeracy

Few schools in the Few schools in the middle agesmiddle ages

Schools related to Schools related to churcheschurches

Schooling usually Schooling usually guaranteed a guaranteed a position in church position in church or governmental or governmental administrationadministration

(members.lycos.co.uk/RobertSlade/Gallery)

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Early universitiesEarly universities

Middle ages: Italian Middle ages: Italian cities, Paris, cities, Paris, Cambridge, Oxford, Cambridge, Oxford, Prague, etc.Prague, etc.

Focused on theology Focused on theology later on law and later on law and medicinemedicine

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Trade schoolsTrade schools

1717thth – 19 – 19thth century century Training in specific areasTraining in specific areas Commerce schools, technical schoolsCommerce schools, technical schools

(www.kckps.org)

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General elementary General elementary educationeducation

Late 19Late 19thth – 20 – 20thth century century Basic education (literacy, numeracy) for Basic education (literacy, numeracy) for

everybodyeverybody Basic education in some sciences (e.g., Basic education in some sciences (e.g.,

geography, biology)geography, biology)

(www.ethosnet.co.uk)

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Modern universitiesModern universities

Late 19Late 19thth – 20 – 20thth centurycentury

Organised around Organised around research and research and sciencessciences

Advanced level Advanced level training in training in sciencessciences

(azfoo.net)

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GCSE and A - levelsGCSE and A - levels

Mid-late 20Mid-late 20thth century century Standardised education and examsStandardised education and exams Almost general secondary educationAlmost general secondary education

(userweb.esu10.k12.ne.us/~kearney)

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Layered university systemLayered university system

Mid 20Mid 20thth century century German system: vocational, German system: vocational,

technical and science universitiestechnical and science universities American system: community American system: community

colleges, state universities, colleges, state universities, research universitiesresearch universities

British system: further education British system: further education colleges, polytechnics, universitiescolleges, polytechnics, universities

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Graduate schoolsGraduate schools

Mid – late 20Mid – late 20thth century century Formal education at post – graduate levelFormal education at post – graduate level Advanced training in scientific researchAdvanced training in scientific research

(www.wfu.edu/physics)

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Changes of the education Changes of the education systemsystem

What drives these changes from What drives these changes from one system to another ?one system to another ?

How did we develop graduate How did we develop graduate schools from church related basic schools from church related basic literacy and numeracy schools ?literacy and numeracy schools ?

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What comes next ?What comes next ?

Can we predict how the education Can we predict how the education system will change in the future ?system will change in the future ?

What are the likely new forms of What are the likely new forms of education ?education ?

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Economics, politics, Economics, politics, educationeducation

How does economics and politics How does economics and politics interact with the education system ?interact with the education system ?

How is this interaction influencing How is this interaction influencing the evolution of the education the evolution of the education system ?system ?

How does the change of the How does the change of the education system influence education system influence economics and politics ?economics and politics ?

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Information and Information and communicationcommunication

What is the role of information and What is the role of information and communication within the communication within the education system ?education system ?

How do information and How do information and communication shape the communication shape the evolution of the education evolution of the education system ?system ?

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Punch cardsPunch cards

40s-50s40s-50s Early computers – early programsEarly computers – early programs Very hard to programVery hard to program Bad joke: playing cards with themBad joke: playing cards with them

(www.csis.american.edu/museum)

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FORTRAN and COBOLFORTRAN and COBOL

Late 50s – early 70sLate 50s – early 70s Early advanced programming Early advanced programming

languageslanguages Contained the basic programming Contained the basic programming

structuresstructures E.g., for cycle, if – then – else, sub-E.g., for cycle, if – then – else, sub-

routine routine It was still difficult to write easy-to-It was still difficult to write easy-to-

understand programsunderstand programs

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Pascal, Ada, CPascal, Ada, C

70s – 80s70s – 80s Structured programming languagesStructured programming languages They allow easier programmingThey allow easier programming Structured sub-units: procedures Structured sub-units: procedures

and functionsand functions Better management of variablesBetter management of variables The programs are more readable The programs are more readable

by non-authorsby non-authors

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OOPOOP

80s – 90s80s – 90s C++, Delphi, Eiffel, Smalltalk, JavaC++, Delphi, Eiffel, Smalltalk, Java Encapsulation and inheritanceEncapsulation and inheritance Advanced management of Advanced management of

variables and sub-unitsvariables and sub-units Re-usability and readability by Re-usability and readability by

non-authornon-author

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Component-based Component-based programmingprogramming

Since mid – late 90sSince mid – late 90s MFC, STL, design patternsMFC, STL, design patterns Very easy programmingVery easy programming High level of re-usabilityHigh level of re-usability Easy to read by non-authorEasy to read by non-author Dumbing down of programmingDumbing down of programming

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From punch cards to From punch cards to component based component based programmingprogramming

Why did this evolution happened ?Why did this evolution happened ? What are the driving forces What are the driving forces

behind ?behind ?

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Is this good ?Is this good ?

Is it good that we evolved from the Is it good that we evolved from the art of programming to dumbing art of programming to dumbing down of programming ?down of programming ?

Are we more efficient now than at Are we more efficient now than at the beginning ?the beginning ?

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What comes next ?What comes next ?

What will happen in the area of What will happen in the area of computer languages ?computer languages ?

What will be the next big thing in What will be the next big thing in computer programming ?computer programming ?

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Information and Information and communicationcommunication

What is the role of information and What is the role of information and communication in the evolution of communication in the evolution of programming ?programming ?

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Systems evolutionSystems evolution

How can we describe such How can we describe such complex systems ?complex systems ?

How can we describe and analyse How can we describe and analyse the evolution of complex systems ?the evolution of complex systems ?

What is the role of information and What is the role of information and communication in the evolution of communication in the evolution of various systems ?various systems ?

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SummarySummary

Evolution from cells to social Evolution from cells to social systems of humanssystems of humans

Evolution of the education systemEvolution of the education system Evolution of computer Evolution of computer

programmingprogramming How to describe and analyse the How to describe and analyse the

evolution of complex systems ?evolution of complex systems ?