Natural Computing Paradigms and Emergent Computation - Systematic Design for Emergence in Cellular Nonlinear Networks - page 2

This otherwise natural fact determined Watts recently to propose and investigate
the “Small Worlds” model [1]. He established that a small fraction of long-range
connection is capable to dramatically change the nature of the emergent function-
ality. This small fraction of distant connections determines a dramatic reduction of
the average path between two basic cells. Such a phenomena was previously
recognized in social network, often being associated with the exclamation “What a
small world!” when remote people find common acquaintances. It turns out that
on average, six social links can be established between any two people in the
world. The short communicating path is the result of adding only several long-range
connections to the model.
Fig. 1.1. A schematic view of a natural computing system
1.1.2 The Principle of Optimal Number of Entities (Ockham's Razor)
While cell genes are interpreted to create the architecture of a natural computing
system, an optimal number of basic cells forming a functional entity (called a cell
from the higher level of the hierarchy, in Fig. 1.1) is established and here we may
recall another principle of organization dating back from 1300s in the time of
Ockham [2,3]. He stated that “…entities must not multiply without necessity” and
indeed this is the case in most natural systems. When entities multiply without ne-
cessity natural systems often come to destruction like in the case of tumor growing