Model building is the art of selecting those aspects of a process that are relevant to the question being asked. As with any art, this selection is guided by taste, elegance, and metaphor; it is a matter of induction, rather than deduction. High science depends on this art.

Model building is the art of selecting those aspects of a process that are relevant to the question being asked. As with any art, this selection is guided by taste, elegance, and metaphor; it is a matter of induction, rather than deduction. High science depends on this art.

Unwrapping occurs when the "solution" is explicitly built into the program from the start.

If we are to understand the interactions of a large number of agents, we must first be able to describe the capabilities of individual agents.

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.

When a new building block is discovered, the result is usually a range of innovations.

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