No matter how well we understand how a single drop of water, in the laboratory, is formed, we cannot predict how countless droplets, in the atmosphere, form clouds that substantially affect the Earth’s climate. And although we can exactly characterise a single neuron’s impulse, we do not yet understand how billions of them form a single thought. In such systems, animate or inanimate, processes of self-organisation are at work: Many interacting parts that organise themselves independently, without external control, into a complex whole. At our institute, we explore the underlying mechanisms of these interactions, in order to gain a detailed understanding of complex systems. The major challenges of the 21st century, from climate change and economic crises to problems in energy supply and transport, are closely linked to these scientific questions. Without a deep understanding of dynamics and self-organisation in complex and highly networked systems, we can barely begin to face these challenges. With our basic research, we not only want to deepen our understanding of nature, but also contribute to our sustainable existence on this planet.
American Historical Association