Best Chaos & Systems

In the years following her role as the lead author of the international bestseller, Limits to Growth —the first book to show the consequences of unchecked growth on a finite planet— Donella Meadows remained a pioneer of environmental and social analysis until her untimely death in 2001. Just before her death, scientist, farmer and leading environmentalist Meadows (1941-2001) completed an updated, 30th anniversary edition of her influential 1972 environmental call to action, Limits to Growth, as well as a draft of this book, in which she explains the methodology-systems analysis-she used in her ground-breaking work, and how it can be implemented for large-scale and individual problem solving. An invaluable companion piece to Limits to Growth, this is also a useful standalone overview of systems-based problem solving, "a simple book about a complex world" graced by the wisdom of a profound thinker committed to "shaping a better future." Just before her death, scientist, farmer and leading environmentalist Meadows (1941-2001) completed an updated, 30th anniversary edition of her influential 1972 environmental call to action, Limits to Growth , as well as a draft of this book, in which she explains the methodology-systems analysis-she used in her ground-breaking work, and how it can be implemented for large-scale and individual problem solving. An invaluable companion piece to Limits to Growth , this is also a useful standalone overview of systems-based problem solving, "a simple book about a complex world" graced by the wisdom of a profound thinker committed to "shaping a better future. This is modestly called a primer, and indeed it is, but unlike most books with that title, this one quickly takes one from the elementary into deep systems thinking about issues as critical today as they were when Dana wrote these words. As the book moves from the 'mechanics' of systems dynamics to Dana's more philosophical perspective, we are treated to her inherent belief in human values that consider the good of all, and how much more effective considering the needs of others is likely to be in solving larger, complex problems. The universe and our society may be very complex and operate in counterintuitive, non-liner fashion, but following the insights of this book and applying them will provide for far more effective solutions to the challenges of a 7 billion person planet than current incremental, linear responses by governments, corporations and individuals." For her systems thinking included the expected things like recognizing patterns, connections, leverage points, feedback loops and also the human qualities of judgment, foresight, and kindness. To live sustainably on our planet, we must learn to understand human-environment interactions as complex systems marked by the impact of human actions, the prominence of nonlinear change, the importance of initial conditions, and the significance of emergent properties. "An inspiring sequel to Dana Meadows' lifetime of seminal contributions to systems thinking, this highly accessible book should be read by everyone concerned with the world's future and how we can make it as good as it possibly can be."

Winner of the National Outdoor Book Award and the Pacific Northwest Book Award. “The best outdoors book of the year.” — Sierra Club A New York Times Bestseller. A Best Book of the Year—as chosen by The Boston Globe , The Seattle Times , Amazon, National Post , New York , The Telegraph , Booklist , The Guardian Bookshop. From a debut talent who’s been compared to Annie Dillard, Edward Abbey, David Quammen, and Jared Diamond, On Trails is a wondrous exploration of how trails help us understand the world—from invisible ant trails to hiking paths that span continents, from interstate highways to the Internet. The thicket of information here comes to resemble a densely wooded trail itself—one that Mr. Moor expertly navigates. Robert Moor’s debut book, On Trails , trips through natural history, anthropology, gonzo reporter’s adventures, and memoir in a ramble that unpacks the many meanings of the routes we humans and other animals sketch on the land. )”. — Sierra Club “Part natural history, part scientific inquiry, but most of all a deeply thoughtful human meditation on how we walk through life, Moor’s book is enchanting .”. — The Boston Globe “ A wanderer’s dream , even from an armchair.”. — The Economist “ Stunning … a wondrous nonfiction debut . Those with a passion for walking, hiking or exploring will be naturally drawn to Moor's subject, but this is so much more than a subject-specific story; it is a book that poses big questions about humanity's place in the world (literally and figuratively) and how we've come to be here—and it's fascinating to its very end.”. — Shelf Awareness “A wonderfully rich and human book. Thru-hikers be warned: you’ll be ditching some essentials to make room for On Trails in your pack.”. — Portland Press Herald “Falling into a trail trance, for Moor, opened the spigot to a torrent of questions—most of them scientific, some of them philosophical, and nearly all of them profound, provocative, and under Moor’s analysis, deeply entertaining. … Following Moor’s trails in this book opens many fascinating vistas.”. — The Seattle Times “In the hallowed tradition of Robert Macfarlane, Moor’s beautiful travelogue is a meditation on trails: as cultural space, as history, as intimate terrain. This is just the ticket for your big summer adventure.”. — San Francisco Chronicle "[Moor] brilliantly synthesizes his own hiking experiences so that distinctions between history, science, and philosophy meld into a beautiful book.”. — The National Book Review “ There are revelations at every turn here , from the nature of shepherding, to the vast network of ancient animal and Native American trails that underlie modern North America, to the very qualities of the best trails—durability, efficiency, and flexibility—and how we learn from them even as we move beyond them....[A] deeply informed study of nature and history of trailmaking.”. — Booklist , Starred Review “A sagacious walker and writer guides us on a new journey of discovery, a different kind of road trip about roads themselves and what they mean. ... Like Tom Vanderbilt’s Traffic , Moor’s book is an appealing mix of the physical and philosophical.”. — National Post , “The books you should be reading in July” “A hike becomes a classic when it takes hold of a person like a memorable story – when the journey is marked by surprises. On Trails , the first book by American journalist Robert Moor, embodies this. It is a surprising story of trails as Moor takes us on disparate journeys. Robert Moor’s debut book, On Trails , trips through natural history, anthropology, gonzo reporter’s adventures, and memoir in a ramble that unpacks the many meanings of the routes we humans and other animals sketch on the land. )”. — Sierra Club “Part natural history, part scientific inquiry, but most of all a deeply thoughtful human meditation on how we walk through life, Moor’s book is enchanting .”. — The Boston Globe “ A wanderer’s dream , even from an armchair.”. — The Economist “ Stunning … a wondrous nonfiction debut . Those with a passion for walking, hiking or exploring will be naturally drawn to Moor's subject, but this is so much more than a subject-specific story; it is a book that poses big questions about humanity's place in the world (literally and figuratively) and how we've come to be here—and it's fascinating to its very end.”. — Shelf Awareness “A wonderfully rich and human book. Thru-hikers be warned: you’ll be ditching some essentials to make room for On Trails in your pack.”. — Portland Press Herald “Falling into a trail trance, for Moor, opened the spigot to a torrent of questions—most of them scientific, some of them philosophical, and nearly all of them profound, provocative, and under Moor’s analysis, deeply entertaining. … Following Moor’s trails in this book opens many fascinating vistas.”. — The Seattle Times “In the hallowed tradition of Robert Macfarlane, Moor’s beautiful travelogue is a meditation on trails: as cultural space, as history, as intimate terrain. This is just the ticket for your big summer adventure.”. — San Francisco Chronicle "[Moor] brilliantly synthesizes his own hiking experiences so that distinctions between history, science, and philosophy meld into a beautiful book.”. — The National Book Review “ There are revelations at every turn here , from the nature of shepherding, to the vast network of ancient animal and Native American trails that underlie modern North America, to the very qualities of the best trails—durability, efficiency, and flexibility—and how we learn from them even as we move beyond them....[A] deeply informed study of nature and history of trailmaking.”. — Booklist , Starred Review “A sagacious walker and writer guides us on a new journey of discovery, a different kind of road trip about roads themselves and what they mean. ... Like Tom Vanderbilt’s Traffic , Moor’s book is an appealing mix of the physical and philosophical.”. — National Post , “The books you should be reading in July” “A hike becomes a classic when it takes hold of a person like a memorable story – when the journey is marked by surprises. On Trails , the first book by American journalist Robert Moor, embodies this. It is a surprising story of trails as Moor takes us on disparate journeys. With this inspiring book as your map, you can indulge in those twin passions that made us human: thinking and walking.”. — David Gessner, author of All the Wild That Remains “Hanging with [Moor] you meet a host of different byways, get in (and out) of trouble and the experience is not just enlightening, it’s sweaty, hot, cold and…well, to say it plainly…fun.”. — Robert Krulwich, “Curiously Krulwich,” National Geographic - Seattle Times’ Best Books of 2016 - Boston Globe ’s Best Books of 2016- Amazon’s Best Nonfiction Books of 2016 - TheTelegraph ’s Best Travel Books of 2016 - National Post ’s Best Books of 2016 - New York Magazine’s 5 Best Science Books of 2016 - Waterstones’ Best Travel Writing of 2016 - The Guardian Bookshop’s Best Nature Writing of 2016 - Booklist ’s Top 10 Literary Travel Books of 2016 Robert Moor has written for Harper’s , n+1 , New York , and GQ , among other publications.

By applying conventional thinking to complex social problems, we often perpetuate the very problems we try so hard to solve, but it is possible to think differently, and get different results. Systems thinking leader David Stroh walks readers through techniques he has used to help people improve their efforts to end homelessness, improve public health, strengthen education, design a system for early childhood development, protect child welfare, develop rural economies, facilitate the reentry of formerly incarcerated people into society, resolve identity-based conflicts, and more. "This dense volume will be of genuine use to many in the nonprofit world ... Stroh has a valuable insight to impart: Becoming a more effective systems thinker is not just an analytical task 'but also an emotional, physical, and ultimately spiritual one.'. Both illuminating and immediately useful, the book shares the key dynamics and success factors gleaned from his long career of working with organizations struggling with society’s most persistent issues. “David Stroh, in his invaluable new book, shows that good intentions are not enough for those who aspire to make lasting progress on fundamental social issues―and also how the language and tools of systems theory can provide a deeper understanding of the root causes and help identify the leverage points for productive and sustainable change.” --Russell Eisenstat, executive director, Center for Higher Ambition Leadership. Stroh’s work provides an actionable guide on how to model these relationships―and more importantly how to have a meaningful and lasting impact on them.” --Jason E. Glass, superintendent and chief learner, Eagle County Schools. He was also one of the founders of Innovation Associates, the consulting firm whose pioneering work in the area of organizational learning formed the basis for fellow cofounder Peter Senge’s management classic The Fifth Discipline . David is internationally recognized for his work in enabling people to apply systems thinking to achieve breakthroughs around chronic, complex problems and to develop strategies that improve system-wide performance over time.

In the years following her role as the lead author of the international bestseller, Limits to Growth —the first book to show the consequences of unchecked growth on a finite planet— Donella Meadows remained a pioneer of environmental and social analysis until her untimely death in 2001. Just before her death, scientist, farmer and leading environmentalist Meadows (1941-2001) completed an updated, 30th anniversary edition of her influential 1972 environmental call to action, Limits to Growth, as well as a draft of this book, in which she explains the methodology-systems analysis-she used in her ground-breaking work, and how it can be implemented for large-scale and individual problem solving. An invaluable companion piece to Limits to Growth, this is also a useful standalone overview of systems-based problem solving, "a simple book about a complex world" graced by the wisdom of a profound thinker committed to "shaping a better future." Just before her death, scientist, farmer and leading environmentalist Meadows (1941-2001) completed an updated, 30th anniversary edition of her influential 1972 environmental call to action, Limits to Growth , as well as a draft of this book, in which she explains the methodology-systems analysis-she used in her ground-breaking work, and how it can be implemented for large-scale and individual problem solving. An invaluable companion piece to Limits to Growth , this is also a useful standalone overview of systems-based problem solving, "a simple book about a complex world" graced by the wisdom of a profound thinker committed to "shaping a better future. This is modestly called a primer, and indeed it is, but unlike most books with that title, this one quickly takes one from the elementary into deep systems thinking about issues as critical today as they were when Dana wrote these words. As the book moves from the 'mechanics' of systems dynamics to Dana's more philosophical perspective, we are treated to her inherent belief in human values that consider the good of all, and how much more effective considering the needs of others is likely to be in solving larger, complex problems. The universe and our society may be very complex and operate in counterintuitive, non-liner fashion, but following the insights of this book and applying them will provide for far more effective solutions to the challenges of a 7 billion person planet than current incremental, linear responses by governments, corporations and individuals." For her systems thinking included the expected things like recognizing patterns, connections, leverage points, feedback loops and also the human qualities of judgment, foresight, and kindness. To live sustainably on our planet, we must learn to understand human-environment interactions as complex systems marked by the impact of human actions, the prominence of nonlinear change, the importance of initial conditions, and the significance of emergent properties. "An inspiring sequel to Dana Meadows' lifetime of seminal contributions to systems thinking, this highly accessible book should be read by everyone concerned with the world's future and how we can make it as good as it possibly can be."

Organized according to level and subject area of mathematics, it first covers the basics of high school algebra and graphing, continues with calculus and differential equations then moves on to more advanced topics, such as linear algebra, vector calculus, complex analysis, special functions, group theory, number theory and combinatorics.

The reader learns by doing, writing programs to implement the mathematical concepts and using them to carry out tasks and explore the applications. He has been a Visiting Scientist at Princeton’s Computer Science Department, at MIT’s Mathematics Department, and at MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), where he is currently a Research Affiliate. His love for computer science has never abated, but in a chance encounter with E. W. Dijkstra in 1979, he was told that, if he wanted to do computer science, he had better learn some math.

Generations of readers have relished Polya's deft—indeed, brilliant—instructions on stripping away irrelevancies and going straight to the heart of the problem. The traditional mathematics professor who reads a paper before one of the Mathematical Societies might also learn something from the book: 'He writes a, he says b, he means c; but it should be d.' " --E. T. Bell, Mathematical Monthly "[This] elementary textbook on heuristic reasoning, shows anew how keen its author is on questions of method and the formulation of methodological principles. "Every mathematics student should experience and live this book" -- Mathematics Magazine. "In an age that all solutions should be provided with the least possible effort, this book brings a very important message: mathematics and problem solving in general needs a lot of practice and experience obtained by challenging creative thinking, and certainly not by copying predefined recipes provided by others. John H. Conway is professor emeritus of mathematics at Princeton University.

From analyzing your competitors and developing an understanding for your target audience all the way to outsourcing your page’s day-to-day activities, this book will teach you everything you need to reach 1 million followers in 6 months!

Jason speaks in simple English and uses the metaphor of The Seven Steps to SEO Fitness to explain to you how to 'get SEO fit.'. Goals : Define Your SEO Goals Keywords : Identify Winnable, High Value SEO Keywords On Page SEO : Optimize Your Website to 'Speak Google' via Page Tabs, your home page, and structural elements Content Marketing : Learn to produce content that pleases Google and your customers Off Page SEO : Build links, leverage social media, and go local. Check out the other 2018 SEO Books on Amazon - SEO For Dummies , SEO for Growth , SEO Book , SEO Like I'm 5 etc., - they're great, they're good, but they don't include powerful step-by-step worksheets, links to online videos, and the free SEO Toolbook with hundreds of free tools for search engine optimization 2018. Listed on many SEO book lists as one of the best books SEO books of 2018 as well as a best SEO book for beginners. ~ Alexandra Hager. In Sept. and Oct. 2016, I took Jason's SEO (Search Engine Optimization), Ad Words, and Social Media Marketing online class series. However, since SEO, Ad Words, and Social Media live on the internet, watching Jason walk through everything in an online format works really well. He demonstrates this through his exhaustive list of resources that he shares in his classes as well as his expert, insider tips about internet marketing that you cannot get from Google. The book grew out of my class at Stanford University's Continuing Studies Program, "Marketing without Money."

It tells the human story of numerous phi-fixated individuals, including the followers of Pythagoras who believed that this proportion revealed the hand of God; astronomer Johannes Kepler, who saw phi as the greatest treasure of geometry; such Renaissance thinkers as mathematician Leonardo Fibonacci of Pisa; and such masters of the modern world as Goethe, Cezanne, Bartok, and physicist Roger Penrose. Theoretical astrophysicist Livio gives pi's overlooked cousin phi its due with this lively account, the first on the subject written for the layperson. Livio (The Accelerating Universe) carefully investigates these and other claims and does not hesitate to debunk myths perpetuated by overzealous enthusiasts he calls "Golden Numberists." Livio is gifted with an accessible, entertaining style: one typical chapter bounds within five pages from an extended discourse on prime numbers to a clever Oscar Wilde quote about beauty to an amusing anecdote about Samuel Beckett and finally to an eminently clear explanation of G"del's incompleteness theorem. On the way, he debunks a number of popular myths (e.g., the notion that Mondrian used it in his abstract paintings) and does a wonderful job explaining the Fibonacci sequence and its relationship to phi.

Freakonomics is a groundbreaking collaboration between Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner, an award-winning author and journalist. Thus the new field of study contained in this book: freakonomics.Through forceful storytelling and wry insight, Levitt and Dubner show that economics is, at root, the study of incentives—how people get what they want, or need, especially when other people want or need the same thing. What unites all these stories is a belief that the modern world, despite a great deal of complexity and downright deceit, is not impenetrable, is not unknowable, and—if the right questions are asked—is even more intriguing than we think. Freakonomics establishes this unconventional premise: If morality represents how we would like the world to work, then economics represents how it actually does work. It will literally redefine the way we view the modern world.Bonus material added to the revised and expanded 2006 edition.The original New York Times Magazine article about Steven D. Levitt by Stephen J. Dubner, which led to the creation of this book.Seven “Freakonomics” columns written for the New York Times Magazine, published between August 2005 and April 2006. “Levitt dissects complex real-world phenomena, e.g. baby-naming patterns and Sumo wrestling, with an economist’s laser.” (San Diego Union-Tribune). This is bracing fun of the highest order.” (Kurt Andersen, host of public radio's Studio 360 and author of Turn of the Century). “Freakonomics challenges conventional wisdom and makes for fun reading.” (Book Sense Picks and Notables). Steven D. Levitt, a professor of economics at the University of Chicago, was awarded the John Bates Clark Medal, given to the most influential American economist under forty. Stephen J. Dubner, an award-winning journalist and radio and TV personality, has worked for the New York Times and published three non- Freakonomics books.

Included are step-by-step instructions on how to carry out Bayesian data analyses in the popular and free software R and WinBugs, as well as new programs in JAGS and Stan. Accessible, including the basics of essential concepts of probability and random sampling Examples with R programming language and JAGS software Comprehensive coverage of all scenarios addressed by non-Bayesian textbooks: t-tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and comparisons in ANOVA, multiple regression, and chi-square (contingency table analysis) Coverage of experiment planning R and JAGS computer programming code on website Exercises have explicit purposes and guidelines for accomplishment Provides step-by-step instructions on how to conduct Bayesian data analyses in the popular and free software R and WinBugs. "Both textbook and practical guide, this work is an accessible account of Bayesian data analysis starting from the basics…This edition is truly an expanded work and includes all new programs in JAGS and Stan designed to be easier to use than the scripts of the first edition, including when running the programs on your own data sets." “has the potential to change the way most cognitive scientists and experimental psychologists approach the planning and analysis of their experiments" Prof. Geoffrey Iverson, U. of Cal., Irvine; past pres. The book begins with the basics, including essential concepts of probability and random sampling, and gradually progresses to advanced hierarchical modeling methods for realistic data. It provides a bridge between undergraduate training and modern Bayesian methods for data analysis, which is becoming the accepted research standard.

David Foster Wallace brings his intellectual ambition and characteristic bravura style to the story of how mathematicians have struggled to understand the infinite, from the ancient Greeks to the nineteenth-century mathematical genius Georg Cantor's counterintuitive discovery that there was more than one kind of infinity. The task Wallace (author of the bestseller Infinite Jest and other fiction) has set himself is enormously challenging: without radically compromising the complexity of the philosophy, metaphysics, or mathematics that underlies the evolving concept of infinity, present the material to a lay audience in a manner that is entertaining. --Patrick O’Kelley The subject of infinity would probably strike most readers familiar with Wallace as perfectly suited to his recursive style, and this book is as weird and wonderful as you'd expect. There are footnotes galore, frequently prefaced by the acronym IYI ("If You're Interested"), which can signal either pure digression or the first hint of an idea more fully developed in later chapters. Had he not pursued a career in literary fiction, it's not difficult to imagine Wallace as a historian of science, producing quirky and challenging volumes such as this every few years.

Lockhart’s Mathematician’s Lament outlined how we introduce math to students in the wrong way. (Steven Strogatz, New York Times contributor and author of The Joy of X (forthcoming)). No matter what mathematical education you had, or didn't have, you will be delighted by this enticing book if you take up Paul Lockhart's invitation to engage in the mathematical sensibility that radiates from its pages, and try your own hand―not only at answering, but even more fruitfully, at formulating questions as you explore the world of mathematics. Lockhart presents math as an art and argues that just as there is no systematic way to create beautiful and meaningful art, there is also no method for producing beautiful and meaningful mathematical arguments. Measurement is only one of the many rivers in the "vast, ever-expanding jungle" of mathematics, which for Lockhart satisfies our need to find patterns as well as our curiosity...His playful and ingenious approach not only takes the fear out of math but also elegantly illustrates that universe and the joy he finds in it. Lockhart is famous in the math world for a 2002 essay about the state of mathematics teaching. Measurement is his attempt to change the equation: a conversational book about mathematics as an art that invites the reader to join in the fun. Prospective readers should rest assured that while aimed at the nonexpert, Lockhart 's writing is sophisticated and mathematically modern...In place of the usual boxed and high-lighted formulas and tricks, Measurement offers questions to be pondered. Lockhart invites readers to trade tutorial fake problems about actual objects, which lead students to abhor school mathematics, for real problems about fantastical objects, which lead mathematicians to love math.

Secrets of Mental Math will have you thinking like a math genius in no time. “A great introduction to the wonder of numbers, from two superb teachers.” —Brian Greene, author of The Elegant Universe “A magical mystery tour of mental mathematics! Michael Shermer is host of the Caltech public lecture series, a contributing editor to and monthly columnist of Scientific American , the publisher of Skeptic magazine, and the author of several science books.

Secrets of Mental Math will have you thinking like a math genius in no time. “A great introduction to the wonder of numbers, from two superb teachers.” —Brian Greene, author of The Elegant Universe “A magical mystery tour of mental mathematics! Michael Shermer is host of the Caltech public lecture series, a contributing editor to and monthly columnist of Scientific American , the publisher of Skeptic magazine, and the author of several science books.

Steadfast Support for your Evolving Course The College Algebra series, by Lial, Hornsby, Schneider, and Daniels, combines the experience of master teachers to help students develop both the conceptual understanding and the analytical skills necessary for success in mathematics. Students, if interested in purchasing this title with MyMathLab, ask your instructor for the correct package ISBN and Course ID. When John Hornsby enrolled as an undergraduate at Louisiana State University, he was uncertain whether he wanted to study mathematics education or journalism. His specific professional interests are recreational mathematics, mathematics history, and incorporating graphing calculators into the curriculum. He has an undergraduate degree in mathematics from Oberlin College and a PhD in mathematics from MIT. She has two Master’s degrees: one in Applied Mathematics and Statistics from the University of Missouri—Rolla, the second in Adult Education from the University of Missouri—St. Her professional interests include improving success in the community college mathematics sequence, using technology to enhance students’ understanding of mathematics, and creating materials that support classroom teaching and student understanding.

In The Indisputable Existence of Santa Claus , distinguished mathematicians Hannah Fry and Thomas Oléron Evans demonstrate, with eminently readable clarity, how applied mathematics are so thoroughly interwoven throughout our everyday lives by explaining mathematical concepts through one very merry motif: Christmas. Thomas Oléron Evans, PhD is a Teaching Fellow for the Smart Cities and Spatial Data Courses at the University College London.

In Fermat's Enigma --based on the author's award-winning documentary film, which aired on PBS's "Nova"--Simon Singh tells the astonishingly entertaining story of the pursuit of that grail, and the lives that were devoted to, sacrificed for, and saved by it. Fermat's Enigma contains some problems that offer a taste of the math, but it also includes limericks to give a feeling for the goofy side of mathematicians. In the 17th century, a French judicial assistant and amateur mathematician, Pierre De Fermat, produced many brilliant ideas in the field of number theory. Finally, after working in isolation for eight years, Andrew Wiles, a young British mathematician at Princeton University, published a proof in 1995.