We’re posting more details from the speakers we will hear at the Santa Fe Insitute.

“In search of ecological equilibrium on evolving islands: making theories just to break them.
Andy Rominger

The concept of nature as stable (“equilibrial”) underlies much of human thought on our ecological support network. How can we define this equilibrium? Is it reasonable to presume such an ecological state exists? While solving equations for their equilibrium is the bedrock of much quantitative science, from physics to biology, deviations from equilibrium might be the norm. Biological systems also have the fascinating property of evolving, which means they remember their past, encoded in their DNA, in a way much more complex than idealized, non-living systems. This memory could further nullify equilibrium assumptions. Using data from endemic insect and spider communities in Hawaii I will explore definitions of equilibrium, whether we find evidence for them in nature, and why.

“Fighting Nazis in a digital age: Can hate be countered?”
Joshua Garland

Remember when you were young and there was a prevailing belief that Nazis were the bad guys? For the youth of today this is not necessarily the case. Every day a digital war is being waged on the hearts and minds of people throughout the world, and most people are oblivious. In this talk, we will examine this digital war through a so-called “complexity lens,” calling on tools from machine learning, AI, network theory and social science. Through this lens we aim to gain insight into the origin of this war, how it is being waged, who the actors are, how they interact and if the resistance has any hope.