Chapter 1
The cosmic web and human networks
Chapter 2
Neurons and nebulae
Chapter 3
Self organization in space and society
Chapter 4
Life cycles of stars and civilizations
YOUR GOAL
Master of Cosmic patterns in human life
Ch 3 · Self organization in space and society
futura Cosmic Self-Organization
The cosmic web weaves, galaxies profound, Our cities and networks, all around. Self-organizing, from simple flows, Complex order emerges, and naturally grows.
futura Star clusters move in coordinated patterns that resemble flocks of birds or schools of fish.
futura Human groups can organize themselves efficiently without managers, mirroring cosmic particle behavior.
BETA
futura Swipe stars into cosmic webs to discover how gravity mirrors our own social networks.
Fun Fact
Star balance: A star survives for billions of years because of a perfect tug-of-war between gravity pulling in and nuclear fusion pushing out.
Glossary
self-organization (noun)
A process where overall order arises from local interactions between parts of an initially disordered system without external control. In 2003, physicist Lee Smolin argued that cosmic structures and human societies spontaneously organize without external direction.
A process where overall order arises from local interactions between parts of an initially disordered system without external control. In 2003, physicist Lee Smolin argued that cosmic structures and human societies spontaneously organize without external direction.
Quiz
What is the scientific term for order arising naturally in a system without a central coordinator?
Quiz
Which famous open star cluster is a prime example of stars moving together without a single leader?
Quiz
Which online encyclopedia is a classic human example of decentralized self-organization?