From: CurtAdams@aol.com Date sent: Sun, 14 Nov 1999 19:11:09 EST Subject: Re: A Physicist Experiments With Cultural Studies To: extropians@extropy.com Send reply to: extropians@extropy.com
> In a message dated 11/14/99 3:53:11 PM Pacific Standard Time,
> joedees@bellsouth.net writes:
>
> > So you won'y throw out the useful baby with the bullshit bathwater,
> > I suggest reading COMPLEXITY AND POSTMODERNISM by Paul
> > Cilliers, where he maintains that postmodern techniques, which
> > allow us to more coherently linguistically grasp and represent
> > systems comprised of a multiplicity of differentially weighted
> > distinguishable but inseparable factors interrelating in dynamically
> > recursive ways, lend themselves naturally to the task of verbally
> > describing/explaining complex systems.
>
> Y'know, even if you accept that some postmodern techniques have value, it's
> hard to tell whether that particular statement is baby or bathwater :-)
>
> If that's basically a quote I think I'll wait for the abridged version.
>
>
Howzabout the amazon.com version?
A reader from New Haven, CT , April 29, 1999
Excellent and lucid explanation of basic complexity
concepts
Prof. Cilliers's elucidation of the key elements of
complexity theory is not only informative but fascinating reading.
He has taken two
subjects (complexity and post-modernism), each of
which can be frustrating and confusing to the average reader,
clearly explained
them, and then convincingly related them to each
other. By describing each of these subjects in the context of the
other (in true
post-structural style), Prof. Cilliers makes each of
them more understandable. Highly recommended! --This text refers
to the
hardcover edition of this title
A reader from Mpumalanga Province, South Africa ,
March 31, 1999
" You can't escape the agonistics of the Network "
There's no denying that rule-based ethical models
are inappropriate and indeed do an unjustice to humanity when
placed in today's
complex world - and Cillers clearly identifies why
this is so. Bravo.More! More!
tlhaupt@aol.com from california , March 30, 1999
An interesting view into complexity
Though it helps to have a better understanding of the
modern philosophy of science, it is not necessary in order
understand the idea
the book presents to the reader. It is very well
thought out, cogent and I would recommend it to anyone who is
interested in
cross-disciplined approaches to understanding
concepts. I appreciate the process oriented nature of his thesis
and how the classic
Newtonian physics are inadequate to defining our
rapidly changing universe. Be prepared to think, but prepare
yourself for a good
adventure.
Wade McReynolds (wmcreyno@hotmail.com) from
Kalamazoo, MI , March 9, 1999
Good introduction to complex systems
Of the two I've read, this is by far the better
introduction to complexity. Though sometimes redundant, Cilliers's
book fleshes out the
skeletal abstractions, and makes Derrida palatable
even to the general reader. --This text refers to the hardcover
edition of this
title
A reader from CT, USA , January 24, 1999
Clearly written and argued
An excellent well-rounded introduction to
complexity, presented in a clear and well-referenced manner.
Cilliers outlines the
philosophical underpinnings for many of the central
issues in complex systems. The introductory chapter includes the
most
straightforward explanation of the properties of
complex systems that I've seen (far better than Lewin, Waldrop, or
Gell-Mann). A
must-own for anyone interested in complexity or
cognitive and neural systems, or philosophy of science for that
matter.