Bits and Bucks: Modeling complex systems by information flow

This paper presents a general method for modeling and characterizing complex systems in terms of flows of information together with flows of conserved or quasi-conserved quantities such as energy or money. Using mathematical techniques borrowed from statistical mechanics and from physics of computat...

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Main Author: Lloyd, Seth
Format: Working Paper
Language:en_US
Published: Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division 2016
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/102745
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author Lloyd, Seth
author_facet Lloyd, Seth
author_sort Lloyd, Seth
collection MIT
description This paper presents a general method for modeling and characterizing complex systems in terms of flows of information together with flows of conserved or quasi-conserved quantities such as energy or money. Using mathematical techniques borrowed from statistical mechanics and from physics of computation, a framework is constructed that allows general systems to be modeled in terms of how information, energy, money, etc. flow between subsystems. Physical, chemical, biological, engineering, and commercial systems can all be analyzed within this framework.
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spelling mit-1721.1/1027452019-04-12T16:23:51Z Bits and Bucks: Modeling complex systems by information flow Lloyd, Seth This paper presents a general method for modeling and characterizing complex systems in terms of flows of information together with flows of conserved or quasi-conserved quantities such as energy or money. Using mathematical techniques borrowed from statistical mechanics and from physics of computation, a framework is constructed that allows general systems to be modeled in terms of how information, energy, money, etc. flow between subsystems. Physical, chemical, biological, engineering, and commercial systems can all be analyzed within this framework. 2016-06-01T13:40:46Z 2016-06-01T13:40:46Z 2002-05 Working Paper http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/102745 en_US ESD Working Papers;ESD-WP-2003-01.17-ESD Internal Symposium application/pdf Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division
spellingShingle Lloyd, Seth
Bits and Bucks: Modeling complex systems by information flow
title Bits and Bucks: Modeling complex systems by information flow
title_full Bits and Bucks: Modeling complex systems by information flow
title_fullStr Bits and Bucks: Modeling complex systems by information flow
title_full_unstemmed Bits and Bucks: Modeling complex systems by information flow
title_short Bits and Bucks: Modeling complex systems by information flow
title_sort bits and bucks modeling complex systems by information flow
url http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/102745
work_keys_str_mv AT lloydseth bitsandbucksmodelingcomplexsystemsbyinformationflow