Supercomplexity

Dr. Juan Pedro Rodríguez

In this article, we introduce the concept of "supercomplexity" within the framework of Supercomplex Knowledge (SSC). SSC is an integrative approach that seeks to understand and manage complex systems through the interaction of different levels of organization and the use of advanced technologies. Complexity occurs in each of the three macrosystems: microparticles, macroscopic, and biological. Supercomplexity, on the other hand, arises when multiple complex systems overlap, and when humans, through cognition and technology, actively interact with and modify these systems, while being circularly modified by them.

Three Modalities of Complexity

1. Microcomplexity: This corresponds to the quantum level, where complexity emerges from interactions between subatomic particles. Phenomena like quantum entanglement illustrate how interactions at this level are probabilistic and non-deterministic, governed by the laws of quantum mechanics.
2. Macrocomplexity: This includes large-scale systems such as planets, stars, and galaxies. Here, classical physical processes, like gravity and Newtonian physics, are the main regulators of interactions. Examples of macroscopic complexity include climate, fluid dynamics, the self-organization of stellar systems, and the combination of inorganic chemical compounds.
3. Biocomplexity: At the biological level, complexity manifests through interactions between living organisms. Processes such as adaptation, evolution, metabolism, and reproduction are fundamental at this level, driven by metabolic energy and interactions with other living beings and environmental systems.

Two Levels of Supercomplexity

First Level: The Triple Overlap

At this level, there is an overlap of the three mentioned systems: micro, macro, and biological. Emergent properties arise from the interaction between these systems. For example, how quantum processes can influence biological systems or how macroscopic factors like climate affect life on Earth. This overlap generates new behaviors that cannot be predicted by studying each system separately, leading to emergent phenomena that transcend the individual properties of each macrosystem.

Second Level: Cognitive and Technological Interaction

This level introduces the participation of the human brain and advanced technology. The brain not only observes complex systems but also modifies them. Thanks to neuroplasticity, the brain not only observes but modifies the complex systems with which it interacts. On one hand, the human brain acts as an agent that feeds back and reconfigures systems, introducing a new layer of cognitive complexity. The human brain has the ability to rewire itself as it interacts with complex systems. This neuroplasticity process allows humans not only to observe reality but also to change their perception and the tools they use to interact with it. On the other hand, advanced technologies, such as cyber-analog systems and techno-engineering infrastructures, intervene in the interaction with complex systems. These technologies combine technological and biological complexity, allowing the management and modification of biological, physical, and social systems. An example is artificial neural networks and deep learning, which directly impact biological and technological systems by processing large volumes of data and modifying behaviors in real-time.

Artificial intelligence introduces a new modality of cybernetic emergence, where machine learning algorithms interact with biological and physical systems to generate solutions, predictions, and interaction models that surpass individual human capabilities. In this way, technology and artificial intelligence enable new forms of interaction and system modification, allowing these systems to adapt and self-manage, adding a dynamic dimension of control and evolution to biological and physical systems.

Supercomplex Knowledge (SSC) redefines supercomplexity as a dynamic, expansive, and multidimensional process that goes beyond the mere observation of complex systems. It incorporates active modification and cognitive and technological reconfiguration, differentiating itself from other approaches by introducing a bidirectional and evolutionary interaction between the human brain, macrosystems, and advanced technological tools. This expansive paradigm opens new possibilities for describing, predicting, and transforming systems.

While classical science is based on constant universal laws and fixed patterns, such as the law of gravity or quantum constants, SSC argues that complex phenomena cannot always be reduced to these laws. Many behaviors in the universe are stochastic, probabilistic, and non-deterministic, requiring dynamic maps instead of rigid models. SSC questions the permanence of universal constants under extreme conditions or unexplored scales and proposes understanding the interrelationships and evolution of systems through their interactions.

Philosopher Edgar Morin proposes a vision of complexity that integrates diverse disciplines and perspectives. While he shares with SSC an interest in the interconnection of systems, SSC goes beyond by emphasizing the ability to actively intervene and modify complex systems through advanced technological tools. This scientific and technological applicability broadens the scope of Complex Thought, giving it a practical dimension in system transformation.

On the other hand, the Santa Fe Institute's Complexity Sciences focus on mathematical modeling and sensitivity to initial conditions and pattern formation. SSC values these models but questions their universal applicability. It argues that many complex systems do not respond deterministically to initial conditions and that patterns emerge only in specific circumstances. By incorporating a relational and inter-systemic vision, SSC expands the SFI approach and proposes that artificial intelligence, data science, neuroscience, and techno-engineering systems play a crucial role in the modification and optimization of complex systems in real-time.

Supercomplex Knowledge offers an innovative perspective for understanding and managing complexity, integrating the interaction between micro, macro, and biological systems, and adding the active participation of the human brain and advanced technology. In doing so, it surpasses the limitations of previous approaches and proposes a dynamic and multidimensional vision of complexity and supercomplexity, opening new possibilities for the description, prediction, and transformation of complex systems in a constantly evolving world.