The recycling of resource by the aggregate behavior of a diverse array of agents is much more than the sum of the individual actions.

From the point of view of physics, it is a miracle that [seven million New Yorkers are fed each day] without any control mechanism other than sheer capitalism.

Holland's and Kauffman's work, together with Dawkins' simulations of evolution and Varela's models of autopoietic systems, provide essential inspiration for the new discipline of artificial life, This approach, initiated by Chris Langton (1989, 1992), tries to develop technological systems (computer programs and autonomous robots) that exhibit lifelike properties, such as reproduction, sexuality, swarming, and co-evolution.

Looking back to data, we can see if the consequences are plausible; looking forward to theory, we can see if general principles are suggested.

If there is to be a competition, there must be some basis for resolving it. It is also clear that the competition should be experienced based.

This use of building blocks to generate internal models is a pervasive feature of complex adaptive systems.

Particular individuals do not recur, but their building blocks do.