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forestofgloryThis book is really hard to explain, it is about ecological modeling, and how science and knowledge making are embedded in society, and the best ways to approach understanding complexity. I found it to be a really good and interesting book. I personally enjoy looking at complex situations and issues and trying to tease out connections, and have some experience with ecological modeling, so I am part of Unruly Complexity's target audience.
The the first section of the books discuses ecological models -- in this case models of how ecological complexity interacts with stability of communities. Taylor criticizes existing takes on this problem for not thinking about how complexity arises. The next section talks about ecological modelers and their social context. It discuses how what counts as knowledge is constructed, and how scientist values interact with their work. The third and final section is the hardest to sum up. The section is titled Engaging Reflectively and talks about how scientists can be more aware of their social setting ect, and thus do a better job.
One of the major themes of the book is that complexity is hard to study, and that modeling complexity as a contained system has many problems. However if you want to study ecology or society, and/or the interactions between the two the you will be stuck with unruly complexity. While I think the book offers some ways to look at this complexity I wish it provided more tools.
I really liked how this book looked at complexity and how it is studied. The book gave me a lot to think about.
The the first section of the books discuses ecological models -- in this case models of how ecological complexity interacts with stability of communities. Taylor criticizes existing takes on this problem for not thinking about how complexity arises. The next section talks about ecological modelers and their social context. It discuses how what counts as knowledge is constructed, and how scientist values interact with their work. The third and final section is the hardest to sum up. The section is titled Engaging Reflectively and talks about how scientists can be more aware of their social setting ect, and thus do a better job.
One of the major themes of the book is that complexity is hard to study, and that modeling complexity as a contained system has many problems. However if you want to study ecology or society, and/or the interactions between the two the you will be stuck with unruly complexity. While I think the book offers some ways to look at this complexity I wish it provided more tools.
I really liked how this book looked at complexity and how it is studied. The book gave me a lot to think about.
