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Industry: Email Alert RSS FeedCritical Mass: How One Thing Leads to Another
Science News, June 19, 2004
PHILIP BALL
Ball turns to the unlikely realm of physics to answer the question, How, in human affairs, does one thing lead to another? During the post 30 years, the author asserts, three theories relevant to the question have emerged: catastrophe theory, chaos theory, and complexity theory. Ball applies these physics concepts to show how people move in open spaces, make decisions, cast votes, and form alliances.
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Physics explains how our collective behavior emerges from apparent chaos. It also describes the politics of conflict and cooperation and how economic markets work. Ball argues that while it isn't possible to predict how individuals behave, it is possible to predict group actions, Finally, he explores how this scientific understanding of society might be used by authorities to limit individuals' free will. FSG, 2004, 520 p., b&w photos/illus., hardcover, $27.00.
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