Notes on Complexity: A Scientific Theory of Connection, Consciousness, and Being

I have a crush on complexity theory. It is the antidote for a childhood steeped in the simplistic and rigid platitudes of organized religion. It doesn’t try to explain the world, giving people a false sense of certainty and superiority. It explores the underlying dynamics of living systems, which are unpredictable by nature. In our lives, we can see patterns and pursue a direction but the outcomes are determined by countless elements that are beyond what we do. As mysterious as this seems, we see examples of it all the time (breakout moments for actors and artists, how candidates as oppositional in nature as Obama and Trump can both be elected, and when music videos go viral). This book extends complexity theory into all the layers of scientific analysis, from the subatomic to the metaphysical. It’s interesting, wise, and also easy to read. In other words…a good book.

Very interesting book but very hard to read- had to read it twice not to miss anything

Starting with basic scientific empirical principles and delving all the way into quantum mechanics and Godelian math, this book is a quick and accessible read to complexity theory. What I appreciate about this book is that it is cohesive: each part makes sense about the next part, which is hard to do in an argument that can easily be waylaid by claims of being too "woo". I really like this authors style and would read again.

The tone and careful crafting make this an easy book to engage, even while the topics are profound and complex. Incredibly timely for a world waking up to questions of consciouness and meaning raised by artifical intelligence

This book's subtitle claims to be "A Scientific Theory of Connection, Consciousness, and Being." But it isn't a theory of anything. It's a belief system of Everything. With a bunch of core ideas -- about Life in the Universe and our central place within it -- that pretty much anyone can find something to like and fervently believe. If you believe in God or believe in Science. If you don't believe in God or believe that Science can't explain everything (or anything). If you're a Buddhist (like myself) or a Hindu or a Sufi or a Christian or a Creationist. If you're a quack like Deepak Chopra (the AIDS virus emits "a sound that lures the DNA to its destruction") or you're into philosophy or quantum physics or metaphysics or creativity or... Looking for solace or inspiration? Look no further.

I LOVE this book and have shared it with soooooo many friends. Neil Theise has an extraordinary gift for explaining massively big concepts that are often a challenge to wrap your head around, particularly in physics and complexity science. Notes on Complexity takes you on a fascinating journey through interconnected systems, making profound ideas accessible and engaging without oversimplifying. His writing is clear, thought-provoking, and deeply inspiring, offering new ways to see the world and our place in it. A must-read for anyone curious about the mysteries of the universe and the elegance of complexity!

This book is difficult to put down. In short, understandable, paragraphs and chapters Neil Theise takes us on a journey that shows us what is meant when people say “we are all connected.” Across the scale from the tiniest knowable particles and waves out into the cosmos, the author describes the science behind systems organization and leads the way to our understanding of how order always resolves from chaos. The complexity of the science of what we can’t see or measure directly yet is available to us when we recognize the foot prints of this order. This book helps us make larger sense of what we already knew, and we leave it feeling really good about ourselves and in awe of the magnificent mystery behind it all.

A very well done treatment on the connection of science (complexity) and conciousness / being. I’m a scientist and a Buddhist and found the author’s arguments and writing persuasive.

mindfull

This is a fascinating, thought-provoking book that is very clearly written and which I found a great introduction to the topic of complexity.

I found out about the author listening to an itw of his on the Armchair Expert podcast. Fascinating subject for anyone passionate about understanding the world. Very compelling book, written in a way that it is accessible to anyone who may not be a scientist;)

Num ingles claro e compreensivel, inclusive para quem não tem o ingles como língua mãe, o autor constroi o seu argumento de forma clara e abrangente da física quantica aos animais superiores. No seu trajeto visita e contextualiza varios momentos do projeto científico e da filosofia e os integra de forma lógica e com uma leitura original à sua cosmovisão.

意犹未尽 引发多边思考 期待更多作品