PROXIMITY (Critical)
Charles François (2004). PROXIMITY (Critical), International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics, 2(2): 2687.
| Collection | International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Vol. (num.) | 2(2) |
| ID | ◀ 2687 ▶ |
| Object type | Methodology or model |
The distance limit over which components cannot anymore interact.
Critical proximity is generally determined by converging exogenous forces. Interactions can however also start when masses of loose elements start to converge (in a proto-star f. ex.) or when their density increases over a critical threshold (in locust swarms, in Dictyostelium discoideum).
In such cases, a self-maintaining process, corresponding to organizational closure, is initiated, which will last for the whole life-time of the system or society.
See also
Positional value, Proxemics