COMPLEX SYSTEMS SEMINAR<br>Singapore and Complexity

For the first 40 years of its existence as an independent country, Singapore seemed like simplicity itself. Why then should Singapore embrace complexity? And what does it mean to Singapore? I will discuss some underlying reasons why Singapore and complexity found each other, what complexity means for Singapore, and what Singapore means for complexity science at the Nanyang Technological University.

Most reasons why Singapore is "on to complexity" may be understandable to a mind that was formed and educated in the west. But one reason is much harder to grip for that western mind: the Chinese way of bringing about effects. I will shortly touch on what I think is an enormous potential for Singapore to develop a unique position in the world: to use complexity as a means to find the source of eastern creativity.