New ways to represent complex systems and processes

Cover Page

Uploaded June 19, 2011

New Ways to

Represent Complex

Systems & Processes

Author: Jeffrey G. Long ([email protected])

Date: November 2, 1994

Forum: Talk presented at a seminar of the George Washington University

Notational Engineering Laboratory (NEL).

Contents

Pages 1‐11: Slides (but no text) for oral presentation

License

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution‐NonCommercial

3.0 Unported License. To view a copy of this license, visit

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by‐nc/3.0/ or send a letter to Creative

Commons, 444 Castro Street, Suite 900, Mountain View, California, 94041, USA.

Jeffrey G. Long [11/2/1994]

New Ways to Represent Complex Systems & Processes

Page 1 of 11

Benjamin Whorf's thesis of linguistic relativity was summarized as follows:

"First, that all higher levels of thinking are dependent upon language. Second, that the structure of the language one habitually uses influences the manner in which one understands his environment. The picture of the universe shifts from tongue to tongue."1

Broadening this to apply to notational systems in general, we could say:

First, that all higher levels of thinking are dependent upon notational systems. Second, that the structure of the notational systems one habitually uses influence the manner in which one understands his environment. The picture of the universe shifts from notational system to notational system.

The Notational Hypothesis

1 -- John B. Carroll (Editor), Language, Thought, & Reality: Selected Writings of Benjamin Lee Whorf. Cambridge MA: The M.I.T. Press, 1956. Page vi



Page 2 of 11

Gestures

Speech

PhoneticWriting

Codes

Galaxies

Referential Tiers of Linguistic Notation



Page 3 of 11

Ultra-Structure is a general theory regarding the improved representation of complex rules. It offers a new analytical framework for understanding complex systems and processes. It was originally derived from the linguist Noam Chomsky's work on transformational grammar, although his theory has been substantially modified. Ultra-Structure is based upon two key hypotheses:

The Ruleform Hypothesis: Complex systems are generated as a byproduct of processes, which can in turn be defined by "competency rules" (i.e. operating rules, strategy rules, and other kinds of rules). After translating a selection of competency rules into a canonical form, the rules can be grouped into a small number of classes called "ruleforms." While the competency rules of a system may change over time, the ruleforms will remain constant. All competency rules are executed by relatively few and simple "animation procedures." A well-designed collection of ruleforms can anticipate all logically possible competency rules that might apply to the system, and constitutes the deep structure of the system.

The CORE Hypothesis: A well-designed collection of ruleforms and animation procedures can support the competency rules (operating rules, strategy rule, and other kinds of rules) used by all systems sharing broad family resemblances, e.g. all corporations, all games, or all legal systems. These Competency Rule Engines, or COREs, consist of <50 ruleforms. The animation procedures for each engine are relatively simple compared to current applications, requiring less than 100,000 lines of code in a third generation language. The family differences in manifest structures and behaviors are represented entirely as differences in their competency rules.

Ultra-Structure is a New Notation for Complex Rules



Page 4 of 11

1. The meeting will start at 10 AM.

2. y = ax + b

3. IF (TOTAL > 1000) THEN

TOTAL = TOTAL - (TOTAL * DISCOUNT)

END IF

4.

5.

OR

Rules are Ubiquitous



Page 5 of 11

No Smoking ($50 Fine) may be re-interpreted as:

(1) law-abiding citizens will not smoke (2) outlaw citizens who smoke and are caught and cited may be subject to a $50 fine It implies: (3) outlaw citizens may smoke if desired And, presumably: (4) patrolmen will seek outlaws and issue citations

All Rules are Descriptive



Page 6 of 11

<-------------------------------- Ruleform ------------------------------------> <---------- Factors ---------><-------------- Considerations ------------> LOCATION PERSON ACTION PERMIT ALT

RESTAURANT ADULT SMOKING NO $50 FINE Rule 1 STREET (ANY) SPITTING NO $75 FINE Rule 2 HOME ADULT SMOKING YES Rule 3 HOME MINOR SMOKING NO $50 FINE Rule 4 RESTAURANT MINOR DRINKING NO $200 FINE Rule 5

All Rules Can be Put Into a Canonical If/Then Form



Page 7 of 11

Rules in Canonical Form

1 Factor 2 Factors 3 Factors

Agencies Locations Relationships

Rules in Raw Form

In That Form, They Can Be Further Grouped by Class



Page 8 of 11

Relat ionships Netw ork

Netw ork A ssertorsA ssertors

Cases

Cases

Time PeriodsTime Periods

Netw ork

Reporter/Case

Relat ions

StatementsClaimsConcept rons

The Resulting Deep Structure is a More Efficient Representation (This is the tentative deep structure of scientific arguments)



Page 9 of 11

The Basic Distinction is Form versus Content



Page 10 of 11

= Rules

= Ruleforms

Surface Structure

Middle Structure

Deep Structure

Animation Procedures

Featural Structure= Universals

= Particulars

= AbstractionsNotational Structure

(content of)

(grouped into)

Manifest behavior& structure

Records

Tables

Attributes

Character set

(generate)

(collected into)

Softw are

A New Analytical Framework for Complexity



Page 11 of 11

CORE/001: Artificial Life* CORE/160: Scientific Arguments* CORE/340: Laws* CORE/420: Language CORE/530: Physics CORE/570: Biology CORE/650: Organizations* CORE/780: Music* CORE/790: Games* * - actively underway

Goal: Discover the Deep Structure of a Variety of System Types

Technology

New ways to represent complex systems and processes