Complexity: The Emerging Science at the Edge of Order and Chaos

The bestselling and essential introduction to complexity science—the study of how patterns, change, and unexpected behavior emerge in nature, the economy, technology, and society. From stock market crashes to evolution, Waldrop expertly guides readers through seemingly chaotic systems and their hidden rules.

Why did the stock market crash more than 500 points on a single Monday in 1987? Why do ancient species often remain stable for millions of years and then suddenly disappear? In a world where "nice guys finish last", why do humans value trust and cooperation? At first glance, these questions do not appear to have much in common, but each one involves a complex system. Drawing from diverse fields, leading scientists, and groundbreaking research at the Santa Fe Institute, Waldrop tells a vivid human story of complexity science.

A smart, engaging work of popular science, Complexity reveals how this revolutionary field transformed how we understand the world and our place within it.