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Sync: How Order Emerges from Chaos in the Universe, Nature, and Daily Life by Steven Strogatz
erikars's review against another edition
4.0
This book provides an introduction to synchronization in as detailed a way as can be expected without actually delving into the mathematics. Sync is order that arises without centralized intelligence. Yet in a universe driven by entropy how can order arise from chaos? The answer is that in non-linear systems, systems where the change in the output is not proportional to the change in the input, self organizing behavior can emerge. This book delves into what that means.
The first two chapters were my highlights. They delve into how synchronization can be predicted and modeled using systems of coupled oscillators. Chapters five, seven, and nine are also fascinating insights into the mathematics of sync. The rest of the chapters, as well as those chapters, cover sync over a broad array of domains from sleep to lasers to the electric grid to human thought and physiology. The grab bag was interesting but it was the underlying mathematics which really fascinated me. Thus my follow-up purchase of Strogatz's textbook Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos: With Applications to Physics, Biology, Chemistry, and Engineering. :-)
The first two chapters were my highlights. They delve into how synchronization can be predicted and modeled using systems of coupled oscillators. Chapters five, seven, and nine are also fascinating insights into the mathematics of sync. The rest of the chapters, as well as those chapters, cover sync over a broad array of domains from sleep to lasers to the electric grid to human thought and physiology. The grab bag was interesting but it was the underlying mathematics which really fascinated me. Thus my follow-up purchase of Strogatz's textbook Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos: With Applications to Physics, Biology, Chemistry, and Engineering. :-)
francescomarcolini's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.25
Un bell’esempio di divulgazione
bwhitetn's review against another edition
5.0
Finally finished this one. The ideas of synchronization and coupled oscillators are finding increasing relevance to biological system research. I really like Strogatz's work and writing style.
blake7's review against another edition
5.0
A science book that's a page turner had a hard time putting book down
michielstock's review against another edition
5.0
This is a marvelous book! Strogatz has the gift to explain complex mathematical theories with simple and clear analogies. He gives us examples from biology, sociology, modern physics, cosmology, traffic science etc to prove chaos theory is not some abstract idea only useful to keep some pale eccentrics busy but is an intrinsic part what makes our universe tic!
His descriptions of the colorful people who laid the foundations of sync were very fun to read.
I will most certainly read his other work based on his lectures!
His descriptions of the colorful people who laid the foundations of sync were very fun to read.
I will most certainly read his other work based on his lectures!