Abstract

Abstract: This paper tours through computing behavior and that of various life forms using emergent phenomena as a point of commonality. Emergence begins from the ground up, with uncomplicated sets of rules that, over time, lead to complex patterning in examples such as the formation of snowflakes and the movements of flocks of birds. Beginning with inorganic emergent phenomena, and computerized neural networks, the reader will see what artificial intelligence and human intelligence have in common. In the grander scheme of things, however, the combination of: ease of manipulation, randomness, simple rule-following, and sociability can be seen as a recipe for emergence in our Web 2.0 era. This technologically networked paradigm shift is happening just as breakthroughs in science unveil emergent phenomena on minute levels. Using behaviorally framed descriptions, the similarities between life forms and highly complex computing machines will become apparent. Ultimately, these complex manifestations of emergent phenomena lead to questions on the nature of intelligence.