ABSTRACT
This chapter includes a brief look at complexity, because it can help us get to grips with the frankly weird nature of some of the interrelationships that characterise our world. There is no single theory about complexity; it crops up in many fields, from archaeology to psychology. While systems thinking highlights the interconnected nature of our world, complexity takes this a step further; phenomena react to and with their environments. With different components acting in multiple directions, complex systems can offer an almost infinite range of possibilities, so it's not surprising that simple systems can quickly develop higher levels of complexity. This tendency towards increased complexity demonstrates the core principle of self-organisation. Complex systems often operate without a decision-maker, conductor or driver. A stock market is an example of a complex system where people buy and sell individually with no central directing force.
