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18.6. Valid for all phenomena

The laws of complexity have traditionally described physical phenomena. But it turns out that they also describe purely mental phenomena, mental dynamics.

Are you confused?

How can we say that the popularity of the girls in the schoolyard and the dance of the celestial bodies follow the same laws?

It is a sensational piece of information. That sounds impossible.

The fact is that these complexity mechanisms govern everything, everywhere, in all areas – both physical, organic, social and mental. It has gradually been understood.

The laws of chaos control the undulating patterns, the «murmuration» in the flocks of birds over Rome – and the wildebeest's migrations on the Serengeti plain in Tanzania.

They control finances and group thinking, teaching and artificial intelligence.

They are used to maximise the capacity of transport systems and power supply grids. Politics. Art. Fashion. The Christmas celebrations. Jokes. Pandemics and weather. The doom of civilisation, as discussed in the 1972 MIT report.

Everything – all – to put it in three letters.

All in this world is dynamic, chaotic.

«Everything flows», as an ancient Greek said.

Do you grasp the scope of what was just said?

The laws of complexity apply to both material and thought-driven phenomena. Both billiard balls and jokes. And everything abstract. It has been observed. It is documented.

These laws thus explain more than just how the material develops. They also describe mental dynamics.

How does this work in practice?