Comments on: Inflammatory bowel syndrome is nature’s side effect http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2012/11/irritable-bowel-syndrome-is-natures-side-effect/ Thu, 23 May 2013 04:06:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Gary B http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2012/11/irritable-bowel-syndrome-is-natures-side-effect/#comment-48243 Gary B Tue, 06 Nov 2012 23:16:02 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/?p=18981#comment-48243 Interestingly, your mention of the "closest and easiest solution in the infinite space of possibilities" in the next-to-last paragraph speaks to the mathematical similarities between evolution, ecosystems, neural networks and other 'living systems' - including economies and polities. All of these systems can be described as converging on a lower/lowest point on an error surface in a large number of dimensions (or, if one prefers, the maximum point on an energy surface). Most such systems have a mechanism for 'bouncing out of' local minima that are not relatively global (it's often impossible to determine a global minimum from a given locale, so randomly jumping out of a minimum to see where one lands is a popular strategy.) I like to think of these systems as continuously converging on what appears to be an optimum at any given time/state. Of course the as the environment changes, the surface changes and the optimum moves. This also shows how physics applies to living systems. I resist the temptation to expand on the notion of economics and politics as 'life systems' (AKA complex adaptive systems), much less the controversial notion of 'the edge of chaos'. :) Interestingly, your mention of the “closest and easiest solution in the infinite space of possibilities” in the next-to-last paragraph speaks to the mathematical similarities between evolution, ecosystems, neural networks and other ‘living systems’ – including economies and polities.

All of these systems can be described as converging on a lower/lowest point on an error surface in a large number of dimensions (or, if one prefers, the maximum point on an energy surface). Most such systems have a mechanism for ‘bouncing out of’ local minima that are not relatively global (it’s often impossible to determine a global minimum from a given locale, so randomly jumping out of a minimum to see where one lands is a popular strategy.) I like to think of these systems as continuously converging on what appears to be an optimum at any given time/state. Of course the as the environment changes, the surface changes and the optimum moves. This also shows how physics applies to living systems.

I resist the temptation to expand on the notion of economics and politics as ‘life systems’ (AKA complex adaptive systems), much less the controversial notion of ‘the edge of chaos’. :)

]]> By: JeffH http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2012/11/irritable-bowel-syndrome-is-natures-side-effect/#comment-48242 JeffH Mon, 05 Nov 2012 19:10:22 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/?p=18981#comment-48242 Inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome and not identity by descent or identity by state. Two different animals with the same acronym and both commonly used in genetics. Inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome and not identity by descent or identity by state. Two different animals with the same acronym and both commonly used in genetics.

]]> By: Rxdx http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2012/11/irritable-bowel-syndrome-is-natures-side-effect/#comment-48241 Rxdx Mon, 05 Nov 2012 14:15:37 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/?p=18981#comment-48241 Quick answer: no. Quick answer: no.

]]> By: Sandgroper http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2012/11/irritable-bowel-syndrome-is-natures-side-effect/#comment-48240 Sandgroper Mon, 05 Nov 2012 11:16:00 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/?p=18981#comment-48240 Quick question. I have a friend with ulcerative colitis. She's 35. Does this work give her grounds for hope for development of successful treatments within her lifetime? Quick question. I have a friend with ulcerative colitis. She’s 35.

Does this work give her grounds for hope for development of successful treatments within her lifetime?

]]> By: Ed http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2012/11/irritable-bowel-syndrome-is-natures-side-effect/#comment-48239 Ed Mon, 05 Nov 2012 06:04:42 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/?p=18981#comment-48239 IBD not IBS. Inflammatory bowel disease, not irritable bowel syndrome. Two different animals with similar names. IBD not IBS. Inflammatory bowel disease, not irritable bowel syndrome. Two different animals with similar names.

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