{"product_id":"degrees-of-freedom-living-in-dynamic-boundaries-paperback","title":"Degrees of Freedom: Living in Dynamic Boundaries - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eAlan D. M. Rayner\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDrawing especially on insights emerging from studies of the cellular networks formed by fungi, this book describes the fundamental indeterminacy that enables life forms to thrive in and create inconstant circumstances. It explains how indeterminacy arises from counteraction between associative and dissociative processes at the reactive interfaces between living systems and their surroundings. It stresses the relevance of these processes to understanding the \u003cem\u003edynamic contexts\u003c\/em\u003e within which living systems of all kinds -- including human societies-explore for, use up, conserve and recycle sources of energy.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBy focusing on dynamic boundaries, the book counterbalances the discretist view that living systems are \u003cem\u003eassembled\u003c\/em\u003e entirely from building-block-like units -- individuals and genes -- that can be \u003cem\u003efreely\u003c\/em\u003e sifted, as opposed to \u003cem\u003echanneled\u003c\/em\u003e, by natural selection. It also shows how the versatility that enables life forms to proliferate in rich environments, whilst minimizing losses in restrictive environments, depends on capacities for error and co-operation within a fluid, non-hierarchical power structure. Understanding this point yields a more compassionate, less competitive and less self-centred outlook on life's successes and failures.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 328\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.6 x 8.3 x 6 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e January 03, 1997\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42107864252551,"sku":"9781860941023","price":53.46,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0601\/2623\/2711\/files\/0e078ed3fb1aaa78b3cebc1c0eaa08e5.webp?v=1732460450","url":"https:\/\/booksby.splitshops.com\/products\/degrees-of-freedom-living-in-dynamic-boundaries-paperback","provider":"Books by splitShops","version":"1.0","type":"link"}