The Ecology of Society - Complex Adaptive Systems in Nature and Human Societies

Explore the fascinating parallels between ecological and economic systems in this 54-minute public lecture by Simon Levin titled "The Ecology of Society." Delve into the complex adaptive systems where individual agents compete for limited resources, evolve behaviors, and form both exploitative and cooperative interactions. Examine how macroscopic properties emerge from microscopic interactions and influence individual behaviors. Investigate critical transitions in various systems, from eutrophication to market collapses. Discover how evolutionary forces shape individual behaviors in uncertain environments. Learn about intragenerational and intergenerational resource allocation, cooperation in public goods and common pool resources, and collective movement. Gain insights from diverse examples ranging from bacteria and slime molds to vertebrate groups and human societies. Understand the importance of social norms, bounded rationality, and leadership in complex systems. Reflect on the implications of these concepts for addressing environmental degradation and promoting cooperation in society.

David Krakauer
The Prisoners Dilemma
The Tragedy of the Commons
Complex of Systems
Complex Adaptive Systems
Stock Markets Crash
Critical Transitions in Nature
Microscopic Elements
Cities
Managing the Commons
Altruism and Cooperation
Public Goods Problems
Cellular Slime Bowl
Biofilms
Simulations
Human societies
Insurance arrangements
Social optimum
Second best solution
Social Norms
The Ultimatum Game
Game Theory Problem
The Dictator Game
Bounded rationality
Two kinds of individuals
Replicator dynamics
Equilibria
Enforcement is essential
Social niches in primates
Voting theory
The role of leadership
Golden shiners
Animal groups
Simulation
Conclusions
Cooperation
Environmental degradation
Conclusion