THEMES AND VARIATIONS IN COMPLEX SYSTEMS

Mineral evolution, which frames mineralogy in an historical context, is based on the premise that the geosphere and biosphere have coevolved through a sequence of deterministic and stochastic events. Minerals are thus a compelling example of a complex evolvng system that transforms from relatively simple states to those of increasing complexity - a ubiquitous and recurrent characteristic of the physical and biological world. Complex systems, which display diversification in type, patterning and behavior over time through varied selective mechanisms, are observed in numerous natural and cultural contexts, including nucleosynthesis, minerals, prebiotic organic synthesis, languages, material culture, and cellular life.

Complexification in this broader context is the process by which varied natural and engineered systems display increased diversity in type, patterning, and behavior over time. Given the universal occurrence of complex systems, coupled with the special importance assigned to understanding biological evolution, it is useful to compare and contrast these varied natural and human systems. In particular, we explore the roles of such themes as selection, diversification, punctuation, and extinction, as well as such variable evolutionary aspects as mutability, heritability and lateral transfer. These concepts, which are readily applied to biological evolution, may have relevance to a much broader range of complex systems, as well. Camparisons thus point to general principles of complexification.