Edge Of Chaos

A popular framing of a complex system. Cosma Shalizi says Given that that the opinion of specialists was never unanimous behind "life at the edge of chaos,'' and there is every possibility it's wrong, why was this idea picked up by some segments of educated opinion and adopted? --- even adopted pretty widely; I seem to recall Al Gore making some hay with the notion, and hearing that it was being touted by management witch-doctors. The obvious answer is that it fits nicely with some wide-spread prejudices: basically, antinomianism, a dislike of rules and rigidity and formality, a positive relish for rule-breaking.

I tend to use this phrase. Maybe I should switch to Gnarly.