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Understanding Complexity

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Understanding Complexity

By: Scott E. Page, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Scott E. Page
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Summary

Recent years have seen the introduction of concepts from the new and exciting field of complexity science that have captivated the attention of economists, sociologists, engineers, businesspeople, and many others. These include tipping points, the wisdom of crowds, six degrees of separation (or Kevin Bacon), and emergence.

Interest in these intriguing concepts is widespread because of the utility of this field. Complexity science can shed light on why businesses or economies succeed and fail, how epidemics spread and can be stopped, and what causes ecological systems to rebalance themselves after a disaster.

In fact, complexity science is a discipline that may well hold the key to unlocking the secrets of some of the most important forces on Earth. But it's also a science that remains largely unknown, even among well-educated people.

Now you can discover and grasp the fundamentals and applications of this amazing field with Understanding Complexity. Professor Scott E. Page of the University of Michigan - one of the field's most highly regarded teachers, researchers, and real-world practitioners - introduces you to this vibrant and still evolving discipline. In 12 lucid lectures, you learn how complexity science helps us understand the nature and behavior of systems formed of financial markets, corporations, native cultures, governments, and more.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

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A fascinating insight into complex systems. The narration is good, but I would have preferred a longer, slow set of lectures.

Short but very sweet.

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It's a good listen, since it's not a very long course it's was quick but precise. Good content. I have read about some topics mentioned like probability theory, system models, distribution curves and game theory so it was a nice to connect all the knowledge to try understand complex real world. Some one who has not read the mentioned topics too will gain insight into how real world systems behave e.g. Flight connections, Health and financial markets, which can have knock-on effects of relatively simple events.

Good introduction to complex systems.

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This is a comprehensive, well explained, easy to understand intro to the subject. Complex theory was an eye opener for me as it helps to understand the world we live in. Once you understand complex systems you cannot help but noticing them everywhere and their effects don’t surprise you anymore. I am looking for my next listen to delve further into the subject. Thanks professor.

excellent intro

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One of my deep philosophical and sociological dilemma is, can the will of one person, change a nation? And if so, how?

Not in a Helen of Troy kind of way, but more in an emancipation and positive transformation kind of way. What is the science to transforming a country like Nigeria into a highly developed society?

This series of lectures provides the building blocks for shaping and staging such an intervention. As the lectures point out, the best metaphor to describe the thought-process, is how to tame a beast! (Paraphrasing). The lectures do not tell you ‘how’, rather they tell you more about ‘what’ to look out for when dealing with the beast. Think of the lectures as ‘a guide to the nature of beasts’.

Hopefully, you’re not put off by my over use of the beast metaphor. All the same, it is a very good audio listen. Now that I know what to look out for, I will now proceed to figure out how.

A useful framework for transforming a nation

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Very well narrated and entertaining, but I often find myself wondering “yes, and?” The information presented is fun and a bit quirky at times, so very easy to engage with, but not sure how it all ties up together, nor how to use it in every day’s life

Not sure what to make of all this information

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