A Markov Chain Theory of Self-Organization in Nonequilibrium Systems

Watch a 38-minute lecture from the Santa Fe Institute where Georgia Tech University researcher Jacob Calvert explores the theory of rattling in self-organizing systems. Delve into how fundamental statistical mechanics explains ordered states in thermal equilibrium systems through energy properties, and discover why nonequilibrium systems like living organisms can develop order without an analogous property. Examine recent experimental evidence suggesting that "rattling" serves as a predictive local property for favored states in nonequilibrium systems. Follow the development of a simple theoretical framework that explains the effectiveness of rattling and its broad applications across scientific domains, while understanding how this concept unifies our understanding of both equilibrium and nonequilibrium systems. Based on joint research with Dana Randall, this presentation offers insights into the universal principles governing self-organization in various systems.