D. multiplicity as order-parameter

Layer-multiplicity as a community order-parameter

P. Fraundorf 

Physics & Astronomy/Center for Nanoscience at University of Missouri -St Louis (63121)

A small number of (perhaps only 6) broken-symmetries, marked by the edges of a hierarchical series of physical subsystem-types, underlie the delicate correlation-based complexity of life on our planet's surface. Order-parameters associated with these broken symmetries might in the future help us broaden our definitions of community health. For instance we show that a model of metazoan attention-focus, on correlation-layers that look in/out from the 3 boundaries of skin, family & culture, predicts that behaviorally-diverse communities require a characteristic task layer-multiplicity per individual of only about 4¼ of the six correlation layers that comprise that community. The model may facilitate explorations of task-layer diversity, go beyond GDP & body count in quantifying the impact of policy-changes & disasters, and help manage electronic idea-streams in ways that strengthen community networks. Empirical methods for acquiring task-layer multiplicity data are in their infancy, although experience-sampling via cell-phone button-clicks might be one place to start.

Sections of the paper include:

introduction, correlation models, multilayer systems, a LM simplex, applications, data, conclusions.

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