Thus spake Jochen Fromm circa 09-07-01 12:02 AM: > In this post, Eliezer Yudkowsky argues that it is futile to use the word > "emergence". Do you agree? > http://lesswrong.com/lw/iv/the_futility_of_emergence/
Yes, I agree. The only caveat is that the term "emergence" seems to mean something to a large swath of people. Hence, if you have a sense for that meaning and you're trying to invoke that meaning in the audience minds, then it's reasonable to use the term. But _merely_ for invoking that meaning in their minds, not to _explain_ anything but to manipulate them into thinking the way you want them to be thinking. Hence, I regard "emergence" as a purely manipulative term... a bit of rhetorical trickery intended to hypnotize the audience. Like all buzzwords, it's useful in some circumstances. So, it's not futile at all. But it should be used appropriately. -- glen e. p. ropella, 971-222-9095, http://agent-based-modeling.com ============================================================ FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College lectures, archives, unsubscribe, maps at http://www.friam.org
