232
11 The Self-Organizing Society
and feed them back to the decision-making entities
20 in such a way that efficient and
desirable outcomes are produced. For example, one could build assistant systems to
dissolve traffic jams or produce fluent traffic flows in cities. One could also build
an assistant system to stabilize global supply chains and thereby reduce the “bullwhip effect” that would otherwise produce booms and recessions. Furthermore, one
could build digital assistants to support cooperation and avoid conflict. These “Social
Technologies” would help one to ensure favorable outcomes of interactions for all
sides.
In fact, interactions between two entities (be it people, companies, or institutions)
can basically have four possible outcomes:
1. If an interaction would be unfavorable for both entities, as it is often the case in
conflicts and wars, the interaction should be avoided.
2. If the interaction would be favorable for one side, but bad for the other and
negative overall, the interaction should also be avoided. To ensure this, the second
entity should be protected from exploitation by the first one.
3. If the interaction would be favorable for one side and bad for the other, but
positive overall, it can be turned into a win-win situation by means of a value
transfer.
4. Finally, if the interaction would be beneficial for both sides, one should engage
in it, but one might still decide to share the overall benefits in a fairer way by
means of a value exchange.
Digital assistants could support us in all these situations. They could help us to
create situational awareness, including the potential side effects and risks implied
by certain decisions and (inter)actions. Without such assistants, we would certainly
overlook many opportunities for beneficial interactions we could actually engage
in. Digital assistants could also help us to organize protection against exploitation,
which would otherwise deteriorate the overall state of the system. And finally, Social
Technologies could support us with multi-dimensional value exchange, as I discussed
it before. Social Technologies can assist us particularly in avoiding the systemic
instabilities which are the main source of our unsolved problems.
11.5 The Secrets of Self-Organization
At times, self-organization seems to be almost magic. So, how does it work? Surprisingly, it is often based on simple local interactions which enable mutual adaptation. Social norms, for example, are akin to the physical forces governing the
universe. They determine our everyday lives based on compliance mechanisms such
as sanctions and rewards. In contrast to physics, however, the socio-economic forces
governing the structure, dynamics, and functions of our society may change due to
innovation.
20 Which can be people, institutions, companies, or even algorithms.
11 The Self-Organizing Society
and feed them back to the decision-making entities
20 in such a way that efficient and
desirable outcomes are produced. For example, one could build assistant systems to
dissolve traffic jams or produce fluent traffic flows in cities. One could also build
an assistant system to stabilize global supply chains and thereby reduce the “bullwhip effect” that would otherwise produce booms and recessions. Furthermore, one
could build digital assistants to support cooperation and avoid conflict. These “Social
Technologies” would help one to ensure favorable outcomes of interactions for all
sides.
In fact, interactions between two entities (be it people, companies, or institutions)
can basically have four possible outcomes:
1. If an interaction would be unfavorable for both entities, as it is often the case in
conflicts and wars, the interaction should be avoided.
2. If the interaction would be favorable for one side, but bad for the other and
negative overall, the interaction should also be avoided. To ensure this, the second
entity should be protected from exploitation by the first one.
3. If the interaction would be favorable for one side and bad for the other, but
positive overall, it can be turned into a win-win situation by means of a value
transfer.
4. Finally, if the interaction would be beneficial for both sides, one should engage
in it, but one might still decide to share the overall benefits in a fairer way by
means of a value exchange.
Digital assistants could support us in all these situations. They could help us to
create situational awareness, including the potential side effects and risks implied
by certain decisions and (inter)actions. Without such assistants, we would certainly
overlook many opportunities for beneficial interactions we could actually engage
in. Digital assistants could also help us to organize protection against exploitation,
which would otherwise deteriorate the overall state of the system. And finally, Social
Technologies could support us with multi-dimensional value exchange, as I discussed
it before. Social Technologies can assist us particularly in avoiding the systemic
instabilities which are the main source of our unsolved problems.
11.5 The Secrets of Self-Organization
At times, self-organization seems to be almost magic. So, how does it work? Surprisingly, it is often based on simple local interactions which enable mutual adaptation. Social norms, for example, are akin to the physical forces governing the
universe. They determine our everyday lives based on compliance mechanisms such
as sanctions and rewards. In contrast to physics, however, the socio-economic forces
governing the structure, dynamics, and functions of our society may change due to
innovation.
20 Which can be people, institutions, companies, or even algorithms.