Other Index 9: Oddments

█ Divider: 9
█ Section Title: Oddments
█ If A dominates B, study of B cannot reveal the organisation of A, 1898.
█ Must remember adaptation without nervous system, e.g. Microstomum, 0256.
█ Dealing with unobservables in physics, Eddington on, 1920.
█ "Almost absolute" systems, defined 1409, some properties 1386.
█ New-born turtle going to the sea as example of a reaction which looks complex but is simple, 2018. Masserman also, 2046. Morgan's examples, 2184.
█ Example of non-adaptive organisation, 2184. (Amblystoma's limb walking backwards).
█ Properties of organisation may be quite different from those of the parts: 1061 (wheel rolling, temperature of gas, etc).
█ Field of parts joined may show features not possible when parts are separated, 1663.
█ Stability of organisation 0982, examples 701, 0606.
█ An absolute system can always be regarded as made by the assembly of parts, 2584.
█ Parametric form of "fixing" a variable, 2498.
█ Effect on equilibrium of fixing a variablle, 1808. Numerical test of proportion which become unstable, 1995.
█ A "Reducible" complete system defined 1381.
█ Removing excess variables 1311.
█ Values, thermionic tubes, details on, 2032.
█ Simple method for calculating with x = ab^y, 2028.
█ "Observing" a dynamic system means joining oneself on to it to form an "hourglass" organisation, 1899.
█ Status of an observer who holds a variable constant, 2677.
█ A slight tendency in the central nervous system can easily be magnified to a large and complete change, 2700.
█ Binary counters with feedback 2729.
█ Another way of getting information about unobservable variables, 2732.
█ Behaviuor of an absolute system when one variable is forced off its natural path, 2756.
█ Learning 'with insight' shown by a modified homeostat. 2841.
█ Stentor has one rule for reacting to light; how this works out 2881.
█ The intrinsic stability of neurons is high, 2985.
█ Is the absolute system 'noiseless'? 2992, 3013, 3031, 3060.
█ Changed conditions in the system affect, in the long run, only the stable patterns. 3143.
█ Probabilities in continuous statistical systems should always be obtained as limits from finite countable states, 3399.
█ Isolated systems, 3673.
█ Prolonged activity of a parameter makes the system's behaviour tend to depend more on the parameter's particular line of behaviour than on the system's particular initial state, 3956.
█ My work is the 'chemistry' of machines, 3388.
█ Memories might 'float' 2649.
█ In the brain, the combination of high intrinsic stability with powerful amplification gives speedy action, 2986.
█ If the environment is operator E, the brain must become -E^-1. 3499.
█ Bias introduced when S sees D through itself: DIAGRAM 3159.
█ The variables common to two absolute systems must be absolute 4012.
█ What is a 'thing'? It is a constraint, forcing variables to behave with less than complete independence, 4101.
█ If I cannot prove that something is "sufficient", I may be able to prove that it is sufficient to give a high probability. 4193.
█ How to build an exceptionally unintelligent machine, 4260.
█ When many variations are possible, pick on one to prove it vigorously; the effect of modifications can then easily be seen. 4411.
█ Large small machines, and small large machines 4496.
█ The ultrstable system studied by me is one that starts by knowing almost nothing; it starts therefore somewhat handicapped 4599.
█ General phenomena should be explained by proportionately general mechanisms. 5591.
█ Carry out the program of pages 6184 (foot) and 6185 (top).
█ Often the significant part of "what is the cause of.......?" is "what parameter values will give me......?" E.g. "what is the cause of the present accident rate on the roads?" is usually a substitute for "tell me a combination of parameters-values that will reduce the road rate to 10 per day?".
█ Effect of alcohol on complex behaviour, 2050.