The Secret Life of Chaos

How nature transforms simplicity into complexity



In The Secret Life of Chaos, a Furnace film for BBC 4, Professor Jim Al-Khalili sets out to uncover one of the great mysteries of science – how does a universe that starts off as dust end up with intelligent life? How does order emerge from disorder?

It’s a mind bending, counterintuitive and for many people, deeply troubling idea. But over a breathtaking sixty minutes Professor Al-Khalili reveals the science behind much of the beauty and structure in the natural world and discovers that far from it being magic or an act of God, it is in fact an intrinsic part of the laws of physics. Amazingly it turns out that the mathematics of Chaos can explain how and why the universe creates exquisite order and pattern.

And the best thing? You don’t need to be a scientist to understand it.

I think many here would enjoy this documentary, I know I did

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnTH4VSIQZw&feature=player_embedded

Especially in parts 6 & 7 covering evolving software brains. No, not speculation on future possibilities, but demonstrations of progress so far.

It's the best way to appreciate who Dr. Mandelbrot was if you're not already familiar with his work.

RIP Dr. Mandelbrot. You managed to describe what no one else could.

eot