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Class discussion: I agree that many systems are probably hybrid and reflect both design and emergence. From the evolutionary perspective it is true that the human system has not been designed for specifically, but we can view nature as influencing design by selecting for the outcomes best suited to the environment.  Also there is the case of computers we discussed in class where the computer programs themselves are designed but some outcome such as bugs can be considered emergent because they were not intended and have emergent properties.  Also the “ripple patterns” Professor Grobstein discussed reminded me of fractal patterns and made me wonder whether they could also be seen as examples of emergence. While in some cases fractal patterns are human designed or computer generated there are also example of fractal patterns in nature such as in the case of snowflakes.  So perhaps they are also a representation of both design and emergence?

From Complexity to Emergence and Beyond: I like the idea that a broader scope in inquiry across different disciplines is beneficial and that you can “see possibilities less visible from more closely defined perspectives.” I think that by approaching inquiry from this perspective it will offer more opportunity to recognize and appreciate patterns across disciplines and help in understanding emergent processes as the example of the “ripple effect” demonstrates.