How can simple models give complex patterns? Are chaos and fractals redundant in Nature? What is chaos? What are fractals? Do models of life show chaotic behaviour? What do stock market quotes have in common with boiling water? How can we use Twitter to understand complexity?

The 'Chaos Revolution' in the 1980's told us that simple non-linear physical systems might give rise to very complex and often beautiful patterns in nature. The innocent clap of the wings of a butterfly can lead to catastrophic weather conditions.

Mogens Jensen will give examples of such beautiful patterns which are found all around us, such as in ice-crystals, plants, clouds, flows in oceans, etc. These patters are often fractals and we find a close relation between chaos and fractals. These ideas also play a dominant roles in the biological world where complex patterns also arise, say in bacterial colonies. Even quotes of stocks in the financial markets show complex behaviour we can describe by theories of complexity.

Later, chaotic cocktails and Skjorte og Slips playing surf music.

Photo: Creative Commons | Asturnut (butterfly), Creative Commons | Hellisp (attractors)