METAMORPH

Charles François (2004). METAMORPH, International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics, 2(1): 2099.

Collection	International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics
Year	2004
Vol. (num.)	2(1)
ID	◀ 2099 ▶
Object type	General information, Methodology or model

A more complex system resulting from the recombination of characters formerly unconnected.

This happens more or less frequently in heterogeneous populations.

Metamorphs appear frequently in technological evolution. C. FARRELL gives a curious example: “… metamorphs arise when disparate ideas are brought together — such as writing and playing piano. Combine them, and you get the first typewriter, which actually used keys from a piano” (1993, p.39).

Another metamorph is the “motor-car”, literally, a cart or chariot equipped with a motor!