In yesterday’s blog, I stated that complexity (order) and entropy (disorder) both govern convergent evolution. Yet both are opposing phenomena. That would only make sense if there is an even more fundamental concept. I think, feel and believe that symmetry and balance might be that ultimate fundamental concept.
The strive for increasing complexity in convergent evolution seems illogical. Simplicity seems far more logical (eg, one cell organisms like bacteria). So why is ever-increasing complexity leading? In my view, the answer is: symmetry and balance. Would simplicity ever reach that ultimate goal? More of the same doesn’t seem to fulfil such goal.
Complexity (order) and entropy (disorder) together seem to be logical steps in reaching the ultimate goal of symmetry and balance. The first one builds and the second one breaks down. The duration of that entire process (ie, from cradle to grave) may tell if that particular direction of evolution was a successful path in evolution.
Human organisations (eg, companies) also face increasing complexity (order) and entropy (disorder). during their growth to maturity. There are lots of management books about successful organisations but defining the specific ingredient(s) for success remains hard. It seems much easier defining ingredients for failure.
Obviously, any growth requires specialization and thus an increase in complexity and a need for coordination. One might wonder if complexity is a cause, or an effect or both. Growth might even be a tool to achieve complexity in order to enable symmetry and balance.
In my view, simplicity still plays a major part in evolution but in a different capacity. Simplicity is providing the standardized components (a.k.a. building blocks) in evolution (eg, gastrointestinal tract, the vertebral column or spine, the skull and its various sensory functions). In other words: never change a winning team or why reinvent the wheel?
The very combination of simplicity (eg, standardization) and complexity (eg, innovation) seems to explain the success of (convergent) evolution. In organizations, human interaction (eg, workplace politics) may either limit or boost these (successful) ingredients of standardization and innovation.
“The road to success and the road to failure are almost exactly the same.” A quote by Colin R. Davis (1927-2013), an English conductor at the London Symphony Orchestra.
Billionaire (2010) Travie McCoy featuring Bruno Mars
artist-1, artist-2, lyrics, video, Wiki-1, Wiki-2, Wiki-3
I wanna be a billionaire so fucking bad
Buy all of the things I never had
I wanna be on the cover of Forbes magazine
Smiling next to Oprah and the Queen
Note: all markings (bold, italic, underlining) by LO unless stated otherwise.
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