From: dove@well.sf.ca.us (Rick Dove)
Subject: Chaos/Complex Systems?Agent-Based Systems Santa Fe 12/2-3-4/ Conference
Summary: Relaxed, creative discussion-group get together to explore chaos and 
Keywords: agents virtual reality chaos complex systems non-linear dynamics
Organization: Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link
Distribution: us
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 1992 01:02:36 GMT
Expires: Fri, 4 Dec 1992 08:00:00 GMT


CHAOS/COMPLEX SYSTEMS CONFERENCE
(A MINGLING OF AUTONOMOUS AGENTS)
LA FONDA HOTEL, SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO, 800-523-5002
DECEMBER 2,3 AND 4 (Wed-Thu-Fri)

I'm posting this information because I think people here might be
interested in this very informal get together focused on Complex Non-
Linear/Agent-Based Systems. No formal presentations are planned.
However, people are volunteering to lead discussion groups. And many
also plan to enjoy the Taos/Santa Fe skiing and ambiance on the weekend.

The instigator for this activity is Dick Morley (president/founder of
Flavors Technology, previously technical founder of Modicon) - so a
number of the people coming are involved in applying agent-based
architectures to production control systems.

I plan to lead a discussion on Virtual Reality and how one might
represent agent-based systems in that media if the goal is to educate
people to the benefits and the structural concepts. This is motivated by
a real project that will be aimed at educating manufacturing plant
managers - but the discussion will be less focused so we can really
explore ways to represent generalized agent-based systems in this unique
medium. Since we are representing abstract and intangable concepts,
nobody has a physical reference model that we must conform to. Thus, we
can freely explore ways to visually represent, physically navigate
through, and provide interaction with, a world of cyberspace stuff.

So - we will have to identify the key elements of agent based systems
that provide benefit as a start - and then describe a world that will be
unforgettable and understandable to those who enter it.

Other people will lead other discussions related to agent based and non-
linear dynamic systems. You can lead one too if you wish. There are no
rules and not much organization.

Currently stated discussion groups include:
- Autonomous Cells/Agents in Complex Systems
- Optimization of Non-Linear Dynamic Systems
- Optimization of Autonomous Agent-Based Complex Systems
- Representations of Autonomous-Agent Systems in Virtual
  Reality
- Negotiation-based modes of interaction between AA's

The conference may be as small as a dozen or so people - maybe a few
dozen - but the expectation is small, intimate, relaxed, and highly
creative. The intention is to get together every day from 9:00-12:00,
and then again from 1:30-3:00, as a minimum. Those who get intense may
meet more intensely. Whatever you want.

A mingling of Autonomous Agents.

What a way to start December - that magical month of reflection,
recharging, and replanning.

Registration is $55. Cheap. You can get a lot more detail FAXed to you
if you need it. Jennifer Close will do this.  She'll also take your
registration. She's at Flavors Technology at 603-672-2438. I am at 510-
652-7528 in Piedmont, California (Bay Area) if you want to talk. When
I'm here, I'm here from 5:00am on.