More Is Different

Details

Photo

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Name

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Year

1972

Field

Physics / complex systems

One-line gist

At each level of complexity, new rules emerge; you can’t fully predict a flock from just knowing one bird.

Why this stuck

Explains why an air traffic system is more than a pile of planes and procedures—emergent weirdness is baked in.

Commitment level

Conceptual and short; good layover reading.