Conference: Silent Transformations

Date: 7 – 9 March 2016

Venue: Nanyang Executive Centre, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Address: 60 Nanyang View, Singapore 639673

 

Synopsis

The fifth Para Limes complexity conference is about Silent Transformations. Silent transformations refer to processes that take place over long time spans, and that go mostly unnoticed until its effects become visible. An uncountable number of such processes has been shaping and are shaping our universe, our world and our lives. Some of them we have recognized and are studying, like evolution, growing older or climate change. Others we are starting to recognize, like computation changing science, or IT transforming our lives. And still others we have no idea about. Some transformations have an almost timeless character and have nothing to do with humanity and its actions or concerns, like the unfolding of the universe or evolution. Others have a much shorter time line and are very much associated with human actions and concerns, like traffic becoming autonomous, or growing older. Still others are associated with human actions that fingerprint natural processes like climate change, environmental evolution and extinctions. Once visible, the effects of silent transformations are often looked at as isolated phenomena, rather than as emerging properties of complex systems that undergo continuous change. Silent transformations somehow seems to capture an essential feature of complexity as well as the intuitive sense that science needs to find ways to recognize and understand these processes in order to be able to deal with the big problems our world is facing. The annual complexity conference has become widely recognized as unique in South East Asia. In it some of the best scientists and thinkers in the area of complexity share their views with you. All twelve speakers in this conference are uniquely qualified to address silent transformations. To hear them share their insights and partake in their discussions will be a great experience for all participants to the conference. The setting of the conference is informal. After each talk there will be ample time for the audience and the speakers to discuss and meet. We warmly invite you to actively take part in it. _____________________________ 1 François Jullien inspired this theme with his book The Silent Transformations (2011), in which he compares Western and Eastern ways of thinking about time and the process of change. 2 The earlier conferences were: “More is Different” (2012), “A Crude Look at the Whole” (2013), “Hidden Connections” (2014), and “Emerging patterns” (2014). The first three conferences were organized by NTU’s complexity program, the predecessor of Para Limes. Para Limes alludes to a world beyond boundaries.   [Programme] [Photo Gallery]  

Videos & Presentation Slides

Welcome remarks by Jan W. Vasbinder Director, Para Limes, Nanyang Technological University   Opening address by Bertil Andersson President, Nanyang Technological University ~~~~ Chair: Huang Zhilian Interdisciplinary Graduate School, Nanyang Technological University Biography Speaker: Douglas Robertson Fellow Emeritus at the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences and Department of Geological Sciences (retired), University of Colorado Boulder Biography & Abstract │ Presentation ~~~~ Chair: Bo An School of Computer Engineering, Nanyang Technological University Biography Speaker: Gideon Rosenblatt Writer at The Vital Edge Biography & Abstract │ Presentation ~~~~ Chair: Neil Huynh Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC), A*STAR Biography Speaker: Gregory Chaitin Professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and an Honorary Professor at the University of Buenos Aires Biography & Abstract │ Presentation ~~~~ Chair: Zheng Jie School of Computer Engineering, Nanyang Technological University Biography Speaker: Tom Kirkwood Professor at the Newcastle University Institute for Ageing and Copenhagen University Centre for Healthy Ageing Biography & Abstract │ Presentation ~~~~ Chair: Vivek Sheraton M. Interdisciplinary Graduate School, Nanyang Technological University Biography Speaker: Eörs Szathmáry Director, Parmenides Center for the Conceptual Foundations of Science in Munich and Professor in Biological Institute, Eötvös University Budapest Biography & Abstract │ Presentation ~~~~ Chair: Jonathan Sim College of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University Biography Speaker: Georges Halpern Honorary Professor, Department of Applied Biology & Chemical Technology, Hong Kong Polytechnic University Biography & Abstract │ Presentation ~~~~ Chair: Bobby Cheon School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University Biography Speaker: Helena Gao Director of Bilingual Development Lab, Division of Chinese, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University Biography & Abstract │ Presentation ~~~~ Chair: Siran Zhan Nanyang Business School, Nanyang Technological University Biography Speaker: William Laurance Distinguished Research Professor at James Cook University in Cairns Biography & Abstract │ ~~~~ Chair: Goh Woon Peng Interdisciplinary Graduate School, Nanyang Technological University Biography Speaker: Geoffrey West Distinguished Professor and Past President, Santa Fe Institute Biography & Abstract │ Presentation ~~~~ Chair: Yong Ee Hou School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University Biography Speaker: Krishna Savani Assistant Professor, Division of Strategy, Management and Organisation, Nanyang Business School, Nanyang Technological University Biography & Abstract ~~~~ Chair: Quek Wei Liang School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University Biography Speaker: Tone Bjordam Artist Biography & Abstract │Presentation ~~~~ Chair: Darrell Tay School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University Biography Speaker: J. Stephen Lansing Co-Director of Complexity Institute and Professor in the Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological University Biography & Abstract ~~~~ Closing remarks by Jan W. Vasbinder Director, Para Limes, Nanyang Technological University