http://www.unexco.com/gallery/swarmers.jpg∞

Stigmergy and the Swarm
The universe has been unfolding for between 12 and 14 billion years, and in that time a good deal of order has emerged. Once established, order - such as a spiral - can, then, become a model, a sample even, for further order - we need not ever begin from "scratch" in such an orderly ecology. We can even, indeed, begin from "scratch" - the interruption of one order that allows another to emerge. This principle of playing with already existing order is known as stigmergy, and can be a useful principle when faced with a task in multimedia composition. Instead of staring at a blank screen, trying to "produce" something out of nowhere, find a template or a model and begin to play with and alter it. Troll for tropes, ape archetypes. Take a look at this definition of stigmergy∞ and think about how it relates to your lives as college students and citizens of the information age. What might be some sources of stigmergy be? How can you use this to your advantage?

Assignments:

• Compose a rough draft of a causal argument. Between 500 and 1000 words on an event of your own choosing. Make sure to adequetely explain the event, why you think it happened, and what can be learned from the causal chain you have built. As usual, post the draft to the wiki and bring in a dead-tree copy to class on Wednesday.

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