Anthro-complexity

Dave, and The Cynefin Centre via its application, pioneered Anthro-complexity: a radical new discipline which studies the human aspects of complex adaptive systems. Traditional Complexity Science institutions, such as The Sante Fe Institute, tend to focus on more computational complexity so often rely on mathematical and agent-based modelling in their enquiry. For example, in 'Boid's Distributed Behaviour Model, birds' flocking behaviour was simulated to explore how individual behaviour is influenced by nearby flockmates. This is typical of computational complexity which often uses, insects, birds or chemical reactions as the central agents of the model.

Anthro-complexity, on the other hand, differs from this approach as we argue that human beings are radically different and simply cannot be modelled in the same way. Dave notes the 3 I’s of Anthro-complexity that show how humans are different…

• INTENTIONALITY: Although it is not fully unique to humans, we have intent. We don’t just respond to a stimuli, we make deliberative choices, engage in abstraction, goal setting and so on! It is our ability to abstract that sets us apart and shows our intentionality, as we can express our intent and goals in symbolic forms to let people know our direction of travel.

• INTELLIGENCE: Which again is not unique to humans, but through our intelligence we can substantially alter the world around us to suit our purpose. We can abstract experiences to build ideas that affect ourselves and other people, which works to set us apart.

• IDENTITY: Identity, in humans, is fluid, we can move between roles depending on the context. I can be a daughter, a friend, a colleague, a consultant, a student… I have a stable identity, but it fluidly moves and alters between people and contexts.