"Generalization: theory of organization by the diminution of redundancy under the effect of factors of noise. Following von Neumann, we have arrived at the idea according to which in a system of "extremely high complexity," the property of self-organization should consist in that the factors of noise in the environment product two opposite effects: on the one hand, they increase the quantity of information of the total system by augmenting the autonomy among the parts; on the other, they diminish this quantity of information by the accumulation of errors in the structure of these parts. in order for these effects to be possible, that is to say for them to be able to coexist without the system ceasing to function, it is necessary for the system to be of "extremely high complexity," that is, composed of a great number of parts interconnected in multiple ways." (136-137)
"randomness is a kind of order, if it can be made meaningful; [secondly,] the task of making meaning out of randomness is what self-organization is all about." (136)
"Complexity is composed of a great number of parts interconnected in multiple ways. [...] Complexity is an emergent phenomenon whose occurrence cannot be accurately predicted. [...] Evolution is apparently oriented toward more complexity. [...] Atlan identifies the state between rigid structure (the crystal) and vanishing structure (smoke) as the domain of living organisms. The interstitial condition marks the moment of complexity." (137)
qtd. in Mark C. Taylor, The Moment of Complexity (2001)
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