Santa Fe Institute Events Wiki - User contributions [en]

CSSS 2007 Santa Fe-After Hours

2007-06-27T17:18:38Z

Spiekermann: /* Aussie Back-yard Cricket & BBQ night */

{{CSSS 2007 Santa Fe}}

=Fun to Be Had=

==Wednesday, June 27==
===Blues,Soul,and R&B===
* Join us for "Music on the Hill" at St. Johns college from 6-8pm for food and drink; this Wed is Blues, Soul and R&B by "Cathy McGill & Avatar". For more info see, [http://www.stjohnscollege.edu/asp/main.aspx?page=6981 schedule here].

===Aussie Back-yard Cricket & BBQ night===
To celebrate a number of birthdays in Week 4 (including one on the night) and soon after the workshop, we plan to play some easy-going 'back-yard' cricket (all welcome, no prior experience required (infact, an advantage)). Following this, we're going to fire up the BBQ on the spectacular 'Sangre de Cristo View' deck near the common rooms down campus, and have a good BBQ and drink or two Aussie style.
<div style="background-color: whitesmoke;padding:5px; border:1pt solid red;margin:5px;">
''Interested?'': (please add name to list for Aussie-catering): Simon, Dan, Ryan, Joe, James, Will B, Aaron, Amelie, elise, Kai ...
</div>
* ''Time'': Cricket starts after return from SFI, BBQ from 6:30/7:00pm
* ''Place'': Cricket <s>on the field</s> on the road heading up St John's campus (there's a concert on the field), BBQ at the common-room deck
* ''Cost'': A '''$5''' contribution to Ryan on the night will cover drinks and food for the night..
* Rules for cricket:
# Can't get out first-ball
# One-hand, one-bounce
# Six and out
# Only one batsman at the crease at a time
# Bowling arm must be at most 15 degrees from vertical
# Witty heckling encouraged

==Thursday, June 28==
===Kiss of the Spider Woman===
Anyone up for theatre? We can see Wayne Cote strut his stuff as the lead. 
The Santa Fe Playhouse, 8pm, student tickets $12. (Mike)

=Interests=
=== cricket anyone? ===
I've been getting some sniffs of interest in the game! I can probably arrange a bat here and we can play tennis ball cricket (I can also offer a tutorial on cricket ;) - for proper leather ball cricket, folks are welcome to practice with the UNM cricket club at Albuquerque coming saturday around noon! (dont worry, it's fun cricket and not professional quality either!), the club (and I) then travel to Colorado for a couple of matches 16/17 June; so if some are interested in a Colorado trip, let me know. [[http://www.santafe.edu/events/workshops/index.php/Amitabh_Trehan amitabh]]

Sun, June 10: We had a nice little cricket session at the St. Johns ground today. What about onother one tomorrrow (Mon, Jun 11) sometime. I have some equipment here - bat, pads, stumps, cricket ball and also tennis balls. [[Amitabh Trehan]]
[[Image:Cricket.jpg]]

=== Photographers unite! ===
I have met quite a few avid photography enthusiasts here. Let's form a group. NM is a wonderful state for photography, maybe we can plan something! [[http://www.santafe.edu/events/workshops/index.php/Amitabh_Trehan amitabh]]

I'd be happy to point you to some excellent places- we have no shortage here in NM. Lolly lollyb@santafe.edu

I would love to join. The only problem is that I left my camera back home ! HELP ! Saleha Habibullah

Hey, that would be great Lolly !! I'd love to go see some beautiful places ! I'll be writing to you soon :) -- [http://www.santafe.edu/events/workshops/index.php/Amelie_Veron Amelie]

I'm not much of a photographer yet, but I brought my camera, and I’m always looking for opportunities to practice. -- [http://www.santafe.edu/events/workshops/index.php/Jose_Delgado jd]

=== El Farol and Other Places to Eat ===
Since the [http://www.elfarolsf.com El Farol Restaurant and Bar] has become immortalized in the complexity literature ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Farol_Bar_problem The El Farol Bar Problem]), we should check it out. BTW, some locals said the El Farol is a tapas bar and not a full restaurant. See below for more places.

Some locals told me about a few more great places to eat in town: [http://local.yahoo.com/details?id=20215762 Horseman's Haven] and [http://bobcatbite.com/ Bobcat Bite]. I've also tried The [http://local.yahoo.com/details;_ylt=AiKEjhWdFcvv3xBCmycTIouHNcIF?id=20206492&stx=santa+fe+baking Santa Fe Baking Co] and it was great. One of the few great places open Sunday evening is [http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgresults.cfm?destination=santa_fe@140&cur_section=din&property_id=414344 Harry's Roadhouse].

For fine dining [http://www.geronimorestaurant.com/home2.html Geronimo] comes highly recommended.

=== mountain biking ===
the dale ball trails starting from the back of st john's provide 22mi+ of what looks like pretty nice trails for biking (& walking!), plus there are many more excellent trails local [http://forums.mtbr.com/forumdisplay.php?s=2e6c56b6542d2b67e39037cc578ead2e&f=91 and otherwise], and there is also a local bus for $2/day to access some of these. I know aussie simon has aquired a trusty steed and I also have a bike arriving so drop me a line if you keen to get amongst it - it is also possible to rent bikes in town, cheers, [http://www.santafe.edu/events/workshops/index.php/Daniel_lester aussie dan]

- yeeeeah. mike - talk to simon re: stealing a bike from him - dan

ok, my bike has turned up (finally) so am keen to have a hack at dale ball trails fri (15th) morn before breeky after losing my lungs and almost my dinner tonight. anyone keen to join? simon, can i borrow your 15mm spanner, I only trust finger-tightened pedals so much... dan

=== Anybody sticking around after the CSSS is over ?===
I (Amelie) plan to stay in the region (NM, Colorado, ..) for a week or so after the school. The best would be to rent a car and visit with somebody from the school .. let me know if you're interested :) --[http://www.santafe.edu/events/workshops/index.php/Amelie_veron Amelie]

My wife and I will be staying around Santa Fe with some friends until after July 4th. I'd be happy to get together with anyone who's still around - best to get in touch over email or ask for my cell phone number - [[Aaron Frank]]

===Grand Canyon?===
Is anyone else considering visiting the Grand Canyon after CSSS? 
Flagstaff, AZ is about 5 hours away, which is a good place to spend the night with GC a relatively short drive away.
If other people are interested I could drive the long way home to Tucson passing by Flagstaff and spend a couple of days. 
I was there a couple of years ago, but I didn’t have my camera with me then. I would like to fix that stupid mistake. 
In any case, email me if interested. [http://www.santafe.edu/events/workshops/index.php/Jose_Delgado jd]
 
 
btw, for those who asked, I checked and for the Grand Canyon the only thing that requires a permit in advance is overnight camping or overnight hiking.
 
 
I'll also be headed home this way and have nowhere to be until Monday, so I'm up for it. Vikas

===Anyone for Bridge?===
* I realise this may be betraying my inner geek a little too much, but I was just wondering if anyone at the school was interested in getting together for a bit of just-for-fun bridge? If enough people are interested, then maybe we could organise a regular evening while we're here. It's a great game and should appeal to all complexity students! (9 out of 10 Grandmothers can't be wrong......!) Any takers, just get in touch with me! [[http://www.santafe.edu/events/workshops/index.php/Kernuack Hannah]]
You are a geek. I like playing 500. I would be up for learning Bridge if people are patient. [Ryan]

Have to admit that I played some bridge a loooong time ago... forgotten most about it by now though. But I'm willing to give it a shot (hope for your own sake that you're better in bridge than in pool Hannah ;D) [Johan]

its time to face facts: we all are geeks (you too have been tainted with this brush ryan!) and should be wallowing in it. can this session be titled "everything you ever wanted to know about bridge but were too afraid to ask?" if so, I am in [dan]

I'm sure I can manage to articulate the basics to a willing audience ;o) Hannah

- should we try for a further "refinement" on sunday evening? cheese and port?? [dan]

I know I missed the boat on the first night but I would like to learn this rule-filled game properly. I've played a couple of times many years ago so perhaps some cheese and port will jog my memory [[http://www.santafe.edu/events/workshops/index.php/Alex_Healing Alex]]

===Foosball tournament===
Not sure how many foosers we have out there, but it could be a fun thing to do one-on-one or doubles. Email me if you're interested. [[Vikas Shah]]

=== Overnight Hike===

Andrew - not sure where to go yet, but it would be fun.

I have a one man tent, would be willing to purchase a 2-man tent if there were others interested in heading out.

I don't think I can go that weekend, but I have a tent that'll fit two people comfortably that I'm happy to lend to anyone who wants to go. [[http://www.santafe.edu/events/workshops/index.php/James_Battin James]]

yeah I could be keen - I haven't got any gear though (aside from boots, pack and water-resistant jacket). will talk turkey during week, dan

perhaps we could find a place to rent tents for the night? -mike

Very likely interested. Plans for a location? Have tent, sleeping bag, boots, car. I have a book of day hikes, but no good topographic maps for overnight camping. -Ben

I have good (35,000:1) topo maps of santa fe/los alamos area & mountain sports (i think this is the right name) in town rents tents (but not s-bags). how about we round table this say mon 17th/tues 18th?? [dan]

=== Kiss of the Spider Woman ===
Come and see our own Wayne Cote strut his stuff as the lead. It is at [http://www.santafeplayhouse.org/ The Santa Fe Playhouse], with performances on Thurs, Fri and Sat at 8pm, student tickets $12, and Sunday at 2pm, "Pay What You Wish". Running June 21 - July 8.

=Moved done stuff to bottom=
==Monday June 4th==
* at 7pm: soccer match @ the athletic field; be there! [[http://www.santafe.edu/events/workshops/index.php/Olaf_Bochmann Olaf]]

* Monday June 4th, 9pm, Polyhmynia 13, Scotch tasting, hosted by Ben Mazzotta

==Wednesday, June 6th==
* 7pm: climbing @ the [http://www.climbsantafe.com/ Santa Fe Climbing Center]; let's meet at the pond in front of the student centre [[http://www.santafe.edu/events/workshops/index.php/Gregor_Obernosterer Gregor]]

==Friday, June 8th==
* 2pm: Excursion to Taos. [[http://www.santafe.edu/events/workshops/index.php/Gregor_Obernosterer Gregor]] and [[http://www.santafe.edu/events/workshops/index.php/Tim_Johann T1M]]

--I was up that way today. Took the high road and stopped at Chimayo - I thought the Sanctuaria de Chimayo was very, very cool. It is open 9A-6P each day. A little restaurant next door called Oleana's (sp?) serves up homemade tamales until 5P, Thurs-Mon. --Mollie

==Saturday, June 9th==
* some time in the morning: Excursion to southern NM - Socorro and/or White Sands and/or Roswell. [[http://www.santafe.edu/events/workshops/index.php/Gregor_Obernosterer Gregor]] and [[http://www.santafe.edu/events/workshops/index.php/Tim_Johann T1M]]

* Climbing excursion: If you're in, contact me at vikas.shah (at) vanderbilt.edu so we can make plans. We'll be at [[http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Trails/9507/lasconchas.htm Las Conchas]] or [[http://www.cs.unm.edu/~moret/crag.html Palomas]]. Let me know which you prefer. I've been to Conchas, fun smaller area with an easy approach. Never been to Palomas, has a substantially longer approach. I have topos available for both; descriptions and some of the routes are described at the links above. [[http://www.santafe.edu/events/workshops/index.php/Vikas_Shah Vikas Shah]]
**''Update 6/7 1:30PM :'' My car is full. If anyone else would like to come, we'll have to arrange for another driver to come.
**''Update 6/8 8:50AM :'' There was unfortunately an injury, and one of the people going had to back out. There's room for one more.

==Hike to Nambé Lake, Saturday, June 9th==
Folks: we will hike to Nambé Lake, which is a less-strenuous hike in the same area as Santa Fe Baldy. The guide book says the lake is a “special treat”, and there are apparently lots of wildflowers. It is a 5-hour trip (including lunch stop), 7 miles return. The plan is to meet at 9.30am in the usual spot (same place from where the shuttle buses take us to SFI).

The first ten confirmed people are: me (Ryan), Simon, Mike, Elise, Monika, John, Dan, James, Hannah, Fred…

Please add yourself to this list if you want to come (apologies if you gave me a verbal commitment and I forgot).

John has kindly offered to drive and we will also be renting one car. If you want to come and aren't on the list above, please figure out your own transport arrangements (I think Michigan Will might be driving too).

Please bring: lunch (we can stop at a store in the morning); water (2 litres); a raincoat; a warm jumper; decent footwear; sun protection.

== Sunday, June 10: Join me for Church, 11am ==
I'm planning to go to visit a nearbye [http://www.calvarybaptistsantafe.com Baptist church], all are welcome to come. I will likely ride there. I can arrange another bike, or if we are many, perhaps a car. Please let me know below, or by email if you'd prefer. If you wanted to join me for Bible study on a one-off or weekly basis (this would be sitting round to read a passage of the Bible and discuss it) then let me know (again, by email if you'd prefer). All persuassions and questions welcome! [[Simon_Angus]] (s.angus AT unsw.edu.au)

I'm interested in both, but don't have a bike or car to get to church... how far is it? Heather (hbeil AT email.unc.edu)

==Sunday, June 10 - Hike up Atalaya==
Anyone up for a hike this afternoon? I know a bunch of you are probably hiked out after yesterday's excursion, but if anyone would like to tackle Atalaya this afternoon, there is a group of us leaving around 3pm. We'll meet on the road by the dorms at the top of the hill at 3. Hope to see some of you there! ->Josh

==Monday, June 11==
===7:00 soccer=== perhaps low attendance due to the Matlab tutorial.

==Tuesday, June 12==
===6:30 ultimate=== @ soccer fields

==Wednesday, June 13==
===morning bird/wildlife walk=== Are you getting too much sleep? Do your days feel empty? Join us for a morning bird/wildlife walk. The general plan is to be on the trail by 6:00 am and return before the end of breakfast. If we have enough vehicles, the Audubon center at the end of Upper Canyon Road (just a few minutes' drive, no dogs allowed [http://www.audubon.org/chapter/nm/nm/rdac/audubon_center/rdnature/natural_history.html link]) is probably our best option. If we don't have transportation, we'll just head up the trail near campus. Fred and I both have binoculars that can be shared, but if anyone else has a pair they can lend to the endeavor, that'd be great. I'll post more details as the week progresses and we get a better idea of who's coming. Drop me a line or leave your name below if you're interested. [[http://www.santafe.edu/events/workshops/index.php/James_Battin James]](james.battin at noaa.gov)
===Join us for "Music on the Hill" at St. Johns college from 6-8pm=== for food and drink; this Wed is '''Southwest Jazz Orchestra''' by Big Band Jazz. For more info see, [http://www.stjohnscollege.edu/asp/main.aspx?page=6981 schedule here].
===7:00 soccer===

There is a concert on the soccer fields tonight, so we have to move the game.

The GAME IS ON. We're playing down on the fields by the public school on Camino de Cruz Blanca. Turn left out the front entrance of St. John's and left again. The fields will be on your right. It's a short walk from St. John's.

We'll play from 7:00 till dark, unless everyone goes to Rockmore's lecture.

Ben

===7:00 Getting Older... El Farol....=== the inevitable is looming large & I am once again "getting older". I will be marking expiration of my 30th year with traditional comiseratory drinks at el foral & all and sundry are welcome to chastise and deride. it will be a great night!! will be leaving st johns around 7, love to see you there, cheers,

old man dan

I hate to be the one to break this to you, but I think it is actually the end of your 31st year... I will be there to celebrate.

Ryan.

I can drive revelers over to the bar from Dan Rockmore's lecture - do you think you will still be there around 9:30 or 10P?? --Mollie

Actually I am planning on making Dan R's lecture too so I plan to be at El Farol from 9pm-ish onwards - of course, roll down for a drink beforehand if you want too!! cheers

dan (l)

I'll see if I can rally the soccer guys to head out after our game. --Ben

==Thursday, June 14==
===Food and drink at "Cowgirls" on Guadalupe from 6-?===
===6:30 ultimate @ soccer fields===
===6:15 cricket (near soccer fields if there is space and enough interest). ===

==Saturday, June 16==
===Climbing excursion=== We'll be going back to [[http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Trails/9507/lasconchas.htm Las Conchas]] or in the Sandias doing some trad/gear routes. Vikas, Josh, Kath, Olaf, Andy (?), elise (if there is space)

===Bandelier Nat'l Monument/Frijoles Canyon Trail/Los Alamos=== Anyone interested in hiking the frijoles canyon trail to the bandelier nat'l monument? The monument is a group of ancient ruins/caves/etc and supposed to be beautiful (and a quick drive). The Frijoles Canyon Trail is an "easy walk" to the ruins. It's also really close to Los Alamos... Heather (hbeil at email.unc.edu).

Me too. Mike W.

Sounds like a nice trip, I'll join you :-) /Johan

Me too, plus I have a car, if needed. -Chris

I'd like to go on a hike this weekend, count me in if it's just a day trip -Alex (alexhealing (at) gmail.com)

I'd like to join the group also. -Natasha

If there is room, I'd be in. -Will B. (wbraynen at gmail dot com)

I am in - Juergen

I'll be at the parking circle at 9 am - Chris

==Kickball - Sunday, June 17 6pm==
Come play the greatest game on earth.
We'll be on the field by the gym.

==Sunday, June 17==
whitewater rafting in the taos box canyon.

* note: this event is now closed.

==june 16/17 - Overnight Hike Moved==

Andrew - perhaps its better to put some more thought into this and do it the following weekend - June 23/24

i am interested, time permitting - dan

==Monday June 18==
===Soccer at 7:00===
On the field by the gym. Please bring a white and a dark shirt.

==Tuesday June 19==
===Ultimate at 6:30===
Beginners welcome. Please bring a white and a dark shirt.

--
==
--

--'''Basketball'''--
St John's students are challenging us to a game of basketball starting at 6 30 @ the gym. All welcome.
--------------

==Wednesday, June 20==
===Music on the Hill===
Join us for "Music on the Hill" at St. Johns college from 6-8pm for food and drink; this Wed is "Ali Ryerson & The John Trentacosta Quintet". For more info see, [http://www.stjohnscollege.edu/asp/main.aspx?page=6981 schedule here].

===Soccer at 7:00===
Due to the concert, we'll be playing on the far fields. Left out the front entrance, left again, and look for the fields on your right. Should be a short walk from St. John's.

===Ultimate at 6:30===
Frisbee on the soccer fields.

==Thursday, June 21==
===Birthday and Cultural Night===
'All set' for the Cultural Night at 8:30 pm in the Great Hall ! BE there !

The 50th birthday ( Golden JUBILEE _!!! ) of one of the CSSS'ers is falling on June 21. Guess who ?
Any ideas about a birthday cake, etc ?
: How about we celebrate at "Cowgirls" w/ a cake, music, food and drink. --[[User:Luciano Oviedo|Luciano Oviedo]] 21:57, 10 June 2007 (MDT)
Let us celebrate it as Cultural Night in the Great Hall ( songs, etc from various parts of the world ) from 8:30 pm to 10 pm.

~~ If anyone wants wine for the event, you can go to SFI before 3PM today (June 21st) to pick some up. Please see Zach in the FSL

==Friday, June 22 - People with children!==
We have a reservation for 10 people, 6PM, at Cowgirl - out back in the "kiddie corral". So - the adults get to drink a beer and enjoy a meal in peace, while the kids wear themselves out climbing on the play structure. So far, Brian, Mollie, & Rhonda will be there with kids/ spouses in tow. And if you didn't bring anyone less than 4 feet tall to Santa Fe, you are still welcome to join us - but talk to Mollie so we make sure there are enough seats/ tables!

==Birthday, Friday 22nd ==
So another year of procrastination has gone by - what better way to celebrate this achievement than going downtown and having a few drinks?
Join me tonight from 9:30 pm at the Cowgirl (yes I know, not very inventive).

Amir

Meeting at the circle at 9:15 - we'll sort out transportation then.

== Saturday, June 23==
===Santa Fe Rodeo===
[http://rodeodesantafe.org/ santa fe rodeo], 7pm

* note: the seats in the car for this event are now fully booked.

Anyone else (including someone with a car) want to go? [[Joseph_Lizier]]

I'd like to go if there are still tickets (or space in Rafal's box) but don't have a car [[mailto:alexhealing@gmail.com Alex]]

[http://www.superpages.com/cities/mtg/93883/ Atalaya Trail]: In case there's anyone else like me who hasn't made it up our nearest peak I'd like to do it this weekend sometime, preferably with some company. [[mailto:alexhealing@gmail.com Alex]]

===Kickball rematch 7pm ===
Come join us for the game 9/10 schoolchildren prefer! We'll be on the upper field near the gym.
AND we will have a wide array of the worst beer America has to offer.

==Sunday, June 24==
===Offroad Biking===
am toying with idea of biking offroad down from car park up at the ski lifts on sunday morning after breakfast - there are a few small climbs but the descent is predominantly downhill (~3500ft) on smooth singletrack under the aspen & is quite beautiful. total time would be ~2.5hrs back to st johns, I am currently in process of organising a lift to trailhead. post here if you keen, a reliable bike with fat tyres would be fine. [dan]

Sounds awesome but I need a bike - if I manage to rent one I'll let you know. [[mailto:alexhealing@gmail.com Alex]]

talk with simon, kath or will re: bike - there are a few around st johns! [dan]

CSSS 2007 Santa Fe-Photos

2007-06-20T18:27:02Z

Spiekermann:

{{CSSS 2007 Santa Fe}}

* [http://www.flickr.com/gp/37101095@N00/356JyG Alex Healing's CSSS07 flickr set]
**In case you haven't seen it yet - the legendary [http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexhealing/527052274/in/set-72157600301479698/ Dog, Cat, Rat pyramid]
**[http://www.flickr.com/gp/37101095@N00/j0iE07 Road Trip to Great Sand Dunes Park, CO]
**[http://www.flickr.com/gp/37101095@N00/3GTf20 Trip to Bandelier National Monument]

* [http://www.flickr.com/gp/31984053@N00/04j5Hw Amelie's flickr set] '''NEW: Trip to Carlsbad and White Sands''' photos.
**In case you want to bookmark this set, be careful to bookmark '''this''' link and not the address of the page you're re-directed to. The photos are hidden and only accessible through the link I'm putting here.

* Just a few photos from the road and our first day in Santa Fe. (I need to take more photographs). Warning: If you view this album, you will be looking at pictures of my very cute kid - of your own free will. [http://www.molliepoynton.com/SantaFeCSSS/ Mollie's Photos]
** And a few more... [http://molliepoynton.com/SantaFeCSSSv2/ Mollie's photos v2]
**[http://molliepoynton.com/PhysicsLab/ Mollie's Physics Lab photos]

* Some more pics, most taken by Biljana at the Calypso party, and some other stuff: [http://www.box.net/shared/h5zu3cfykj Kai's photos on box.net]
* Kai's photos from the trip to the Carlsbad Caverns and the White Sands with Amelie, Alejandro, Amir Fred, Spyro, Yael, and Yossi. [http://www.box.net/shared/0gzdz63tuo]

* [[http://www.flickr.com/photos/8842533@N06/sets/72157600340872849/ Wenyun's Flickr]]: '''Calypso photos'''

* [http://www.pahle.de/CSSS2007_FirstWeek Juergen's photos taken during the first week] (Including St. John's Campus, Calypso Party, Roswell, Carlsbad Caverns, White Sands and VLA :-). [http://www.pahle.de/CSSS2007_SecondWeek Here comes the second week] (Physic's Lab, El Farol, Bandelier National Monument, Kick Ball). [http://www.pahle.de/JuergenGregor.jpg Juergen and Gregor] at work in the computer lab :-)

* A small collection of my photos are now on facebook - you should be able to view them without signing up through the link [http://imperial.facebook.com/album.php?aid=44371&l=54113&id=222406918 Kath's photos]. Also, if any of you are interested, here is a link to some photos from my southwest roadtrip before the summer school [http://imperial.facebook.com/album.php?aid=44370&l=28c1a&id=222406918 Roadtrip]

* I'm slow with these [http://www.cs.uvm.edu/~jpayne/_notes/SFI/index.html things] ...Josh (last updated 6/18/07)

* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/9144468@N08/ Johan's photos from the Summer School] '''Including new pictures from Bandelier National Park'''

* [http://www.box.net/p/hebeil Heather's Bandelier Photos]

How (not) to model social processes: Thick and thin models in the social sciences

2007-06-14T22:54:00Z

Spiekermann:

== People involved ==

(please put your name)
*[[Andrew Bell]]
*[[Kai Spiekermann]]
*[[Amir Goldberg]]
*[[Elizabeth Mullane]]
*[[Daniel Neilson]]

== Status ==
We had a first meeting on Friday (week 1) and have met again on Tuesday. This discussion should lead to a project soon.

== Resources ==
(please add more)

* Epstein, Generative Science: [http://press.princeton.edu/chapters/s8277.pdf]
* one critique by Gruene-Yanoff: [http://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/archive/00002784/]
* Robert Sugden's view on the use of abstract models in economics: [http://www.informaworld.com/openurl?genre=article&issn=1350%2d178X&issue=1&spage=1&volume=7] (email [[Kai Spiekermann]] for the pdf)
* Robert Clower's (1994) critique of the modern current of abstract economic theorizing [http://cas.umkc.edu/econ/economics/faculty/Lee/courses/502/reading/methcrit1.pdf]

== How to specify models ==

To specify models in the social sciences we need to set many parameters and make many assumptions:

* Agents: How much information?, How rational (bounded rationality, heuristics)?, stochastic elements (e.g. "trembling", random mistakes...)
* World: Abstract or high fidelity? Stochastic or deterministic? Static or dynamic (does the world change in time)?
* Interaction Agents-Agents: Fully defined as a (possibly multistage) game? If not, how to specify interaction. Link with bounded rationality?
* Interaction Agents-World: Static or dynamic (does the world change in time)?

Maybe it's useful to link these questions with some modelling theory in philosophy of science. A good intro can be found in chapter 1 of Michael Weisberg's thesis [http://webspace.utexas.edu/deverj/personal/test/lessmorefinal.pdf]. He also has some nice papers out [http://www.phil.upenn.edu/~weisberg/papers.html].

The standard conception proposed by Giere consists of three elements:
# A model description
# A model
# A target system in the world.

A '''model description''' is usually a set of mathematical equations or a computer program. Model descriptions are typically uninstantiated, i.e. no assumptions regarding parameters are made. The model description typically singles out a family of models.

The '''model''' is one instantiated member of the family of models given by the model description. It is typically instantiated, that is the parameters are now set. The model describes a set of trajectories through the state space.

The model should stand in a similarity relation to the '''target system''' in the world. Defining or even measuring similarity is notoriously difficult.

With this conceptual framework, we can now think about models in the social sciences. I think we have at least three big, conceptually different issues:

# We can think about appropriate model descriptions, i.e. how we choose specific model descriptions. This includes debate on the basic assumptions about persons, rationality, the world, etc.
# We can ask why we look only at specific parameter assumptions within our model and we can question whether we are looking at the relevant instantiated models.
# We can ask how similar our models should be to the target system, and what should constitute similarity.

This is still a bit vague, but I hope it structures the debate!
Kai
[[Kai Spiekermann]]

== Earlier Discussion ==
Models [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/models-science/] have fascinated philosophers of science for a long time. However, computational modeling is quite a new technique for the social sciences, and there relatively little has been written on the use of computational models in the social sciences from a philosophy of science perspective.

Here are some questions:

* Is there a systematic difference between modeling in the (natural) sciences and modeling in the social sciences?
* How detailed should our models be? (Two paradigms seem to be evolving: On the one hand, some researchers try to "grow societies" from the bottom up. These are sometimes called "thick" models. On the other hand, there are "thin" models, which try to model only one specific social mechanism with highly idealized models.)
* How are models related to "reality"?
* How do we make sure that our models are relevant and avoid producing artefacts?

We could discuss several examples of models in the social sciences and maybe read some of the (few) existing papers in this field and try to define our own position. If you are interested, please leave a comment or send me an email to k dot p dot spiekermann at lse dot ac dot uk.

Kai
--[[User:Spiekermann|Spiekermann]] 17:38, 5 June 2007 (MDT)

I'm interested in this topic. I think it is important to consider the history of modeling in the social sciences through the so-called 'Quantitative Revolution.' I would also like to further explore the entrenched (or imposed?) quantitative/qualitative divide across the social sciences and possible stigmas or clasifications that result from these distinctions.

An additional potential topic: validating and replicating results in the (hard) sciences versus the social sciences.

Liz (emullane at ucla dot edu)

Fascinating discussion. Can you post a list of sources in addition to the links? The Wiley link was broken when I tried it. I'd be happy to track down a copy from the bibliography.

Cheers- [[Ben Mazzotta]]

Hi Kai, I'd be very interested to participate and think about the issue (especially the two last themes you mentioned -- How are models related to "reality"? and -- How do we make sure that our models are relevant and avoid producing artefacts?. [[User:Amelie|Amelie]] 00:48, 6 June 2007 (MDT)

Hey, I posted a suggested meeting time on the related thread, [[Representing People]], for lunch on friday after Scott Page's lectures. Perhaps from there we could break off to one of the conference rooms in Santa Fe Hall.

GREAT! Thanks for all the comments so far (more always welcome). Let's meet for lunch on Friday. I think some people want to go on excursions on Friday afternoon, but we can decide over lunch how we want to proceed! Kai

How (not) to model social processes: Thick and thin models in the social sciences

2007-06-14T18:01:54Z

Spiekermann:

== People involved ==

(please put your name)
*[[Andrew Bell]]
*[[Kai Spiekermann]]
*[[Amir Goldberg]]
*[[Elizabeth Mullane]]
*[[Daniel Neilson]]

== Status ==
We had a first meeting on Friday (week 1) and have met again on Tuesday. This discussion should lead to a project soon.

== Resources ==
(please add more)

* Epstein, Generative Science: [http://press.princeton.edu/chapters/s8277.pdf]
* one critique by Gruene-Yanoff: [http://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/archive/00002784/]
* Robert Sugden's view on the use of abstract models in economics: [http://www.informaworld.com/openurl?genre=article&issn=1350%2d178X&issue=1&spage=1&volume=7] (email [[Kai Spiekermann]] for the pdf)
* Robert Clower's (1994) critique of the modern current of abstract economic theorizing [http://cas.umkc.edu/econ/economics/faculty/Lee/courses/502/reading/methcrit1.pdf]

== How to specify models ==

To specify models in the social sciences we need to set many parameters and make many assumptions:

* Agents: How much information?, How rational (bounded rationality, heuristics)?, stochastic elements (e.g. "trembling", random mistakes...)
* World: Abstract or high fidelity? Stochastic or deterministic? Static or dynamic (does the world change in time)?
* Interaction Agents-Agents: Fully defined as a (possibly multistage) game? If not, how to specify interaction. Link with bounded rationality?
* Interaction Agents-World: Static or dynamic (does the world change in time)?

Maybe it's useful to link these questions with some modelling theory in philosophy of science. A good intro can be found in chapter 1 of Michael Weisberg's thesis [http://webspace.utexas.edu/deverj/personal/test/lessmorefinal.pdf]. He also has some nice papers out [http://www.phil.upenn.edu/~weisberg/papers.html].

I will soon (hopefully tonight) give a short account of how philosophers of science typically think about model building. The key question is often how to conceptualize the similarity relation between world and model.

[[Kai Spiekermann]]

== Earlier Discussion ==
Models [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/models-science/] have fascinated philosophers of science for a long time. However, computational modeling is quite a new technique for the social sciences, and there relatively little has been written on the use of computational models in the social sciences from a philosophy of science perspective.

Here are some questions:

* Is there a systematic difference between modeling in the (natural) sciences and modeling in the social sciences?
* How detailed should our models be? (Two paradigms seem to be evolving: On the one hand, some researchers try to "grow societies" from the bottom up. These are sometimes called "thick" models. On the other hand, there are "thin" models, which try to model only one specific social mechanism with highly idealized models.)
* How are models related to "reality"?
* How do we make sure that our models are relevant and avoid producing artefacts?

We could discuss several examples of models in the social sciences and maybe read some of the (few) existing papers in this field and try to define our own position. If you are interested, please leave a comment or send me an email to k dot p dot spiekermann at lse dot ac dot uk.

Kai
--[[User:Spiekermann|Spiekermann]] 17:38, 5 June 2007 (MDT)

I'm interested in this topic. I think it is important to consider the history of modeling in the social sciences through the so-called 'Quantitative Revolution.' I would also like to further explore the entrenched (or imposed?) quantitative/qualitative divide across the social sciences and possible stigmas or clasifications that result from these distinctions.

An additional potential topic: validating and replicating results in the (hard) sciences versus the social sciences.

Liz (emullane at ucla dot edu)

Fascinating discussion. Can you post a list of sources in addition to the links? The Wiley link was broken when I tried it. I'd be happy to track down a copy from the bibliography.

Cheers- [[Ben Mazzotta]]

Hi Kai, I'd be very interested to participate and think about the issue (especially the two last themes you mentioned -- How are models related to "reality"? and -- How do we make sure that our models are relevant and avoid producing artefacts?. [[User:Amelie|Amelie]] 00:48, 6 June 2007 (MDT)

Hey, I posted a suggested meeting time on the related thread, [[Representing People]], for lunch on friday after Scott Page's lectures. Perhaps from there we could break off to one of the conference rooms in Santa Fe Hall.

GREAT! Thanks for all the comments so far (more always welcome). Let's meet for lunch on Friday. I think some people want to go on excursions on Friday afternoon, but we can decide over lunch how we want to proceed! Kai

How (not) to model social processes: Thick and thin models in the social sciences

2007-06-14T17:53:35Z

Spiekermann:

== People involved ==

(please put your name)
*[[Andrew Bell]]
*[[Kai Spiekermann]]
*[[Amir Goldberg]]
*[[Elizabeth Mullane]]
*[[Daniel Neilson]]

== Status ==
We had a first meeting on Friday (week 1) and have met again on Tuesday. This discussion should lead to a project soon.

== Resources ==
(please add more)

* Epstein, Generative Science: [http://press.princeton.edu/chapters/s8277.pdf]
* one critique by Gruene-Yanoff: [http://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/archive/00002784/]
* Robert Sugden's view on the use of abstract models in economics: [http://www.informaworld.com/openurl?genre=article&issn=1350%2d178X&issue=1&spage=1&volume=7] (email [[Kai Spiekermann]] for the pdf)
* Robert Clower's (1994) critique of the modern current of abstract economic theorizing [http://cas.umkc.edu/econ/economics/faculty/Lee/courses/502/reading/methcrit1.pdf]

== How to specify models ==

To specify models in the social sciences we need to set many parameters and make many assumptions:

* Agents: How much information?, How rational (bounded rationality, heuristics)?, stochastic elements (e.g. "trembling", random mistakes...)
* World: Abstract or high fidelity? Stochastic or deterministic? Static or dynamic (does the world change in time)?
* Interaction Agents-Agents: Fully defined as a (possibly multistage) game? If not, how to specify interaction. Link with bounded rationality?
* Interaction Agents-World: Static or dynamic (does the world change in time)?

Maybe it's useful to link these questions with some modelling theory in philosophy of science. A good intro can be found in chapter 1 of Michael Weisberg's thesis [http://webspace.utexas.edu/deverj/personal/test/lessmorefinal.pdf]. He also has some nice papers out [http://www.phil.upenn.edu/~weisberg/papers.html].

I will soon (hopefully tonight) give a short account of how philosophers of science typically think about model building. The key question is often how to conceptualize the similarity relation between world and model.

== Earlier Discussion ==
Models [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/models-science/] have fascinated philosophers of science for a long time. However, computational modeling is quite a new technique for the social sciences, and there relatively little has been written on the use of computational models in the social sciences from a philosophy of science perspective.

Here are some questions:

* Is there a systematic difference between modeling in the (natural) sciences and modeling in the social sciences?
* How detailed should our models be? (Two paradigms seem to be evolving: On the one hand, some researchers try to "grow societies" from the bottom up. These are sometimes called "thick" models. On the other hand, there are "thin" models, which try to model only one specific social mechanism with highly idealized models.)
* How are models related to "reality"?
* How do we make sure that our models are relevant and avoid producing artefacts?

We could discuss several examples of models in the social sciences and maybe read some of the (few) existing papers in this field and try to define our own position. If you are interested, please leave a comment or send me an email to k dot p dot spiekermann at lse dot ac dot uk.

Kai
--[[User:Spiekermann|Spiekermann]] 17:38, 5 June 2007 (MDT)

I'm interested in this topic. I think it is important to consider the history of modeling in the social sciences through the so-called 'Quantitative Revolution.' I would also like to further explore the entrenched (or imposed?) quantitative/qualitative divide across the social sciences and possible stigmas or clasifications that result from these distinctions.

An additional potential topic: validating and replicating results in the (hard) sciences versus the social sciences.

Liz (emullane at ucla dot edu)

Fascinating discussion. Can you post a list of sources in addition to the links? The Wiley link was broken when I tried it. I'd be happy to track down a copy from the bibliography.

Cheers- [[Ben Mazzotta]]

Hi Kai, I'd be very interested to participate and think about the issue (especially the two last themes you mentioned -- How are models related to "reality"? and -- How do we make sure that our models are relevant and avoid producing artefacts?. [[User:Amelie|Amelie]] 00:48, 6 June 2007 (MDT)

Hey, I posted a suggested meeting time on the related thread, [[Representing People]], for lunch on friday after Scott Page's lectures. Perhaps from there we could break off to one of the conference rooms in Santa Fe Hall.

GREAT! Thanks for all the comments so far (more always welcome). Let's meet for lunch on Friday. I think some people want to go on excursions on Friday afternoon, but we can decide over lunch how we want to proceed! Kai

How (not) to model social processes: Thick and thin models in the social sciences

2007-06-14T17:48:32Z

Spiekermann:

== People involved ==

(please put your name)
*[[Andrew Bell]]
*[[Kai Spiekermann]]
*[[Amir Goldberg]]
*[[Elizabeth Mullane]]
*[[Daniel Neilson]]

== Status ==
We had a first meeting on Friday (week 1) and have met again on Tuesday. This discussion should lead to a project soon.

== Resources ==
(please add more)

* Epstein, Generative Science: [http://press.princeton.edu/chapters/s8277.pdf]
* one critique by Gruene-Yanoff: [http://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/archive/00002784/]
* Robert Sugden's view on the use of abstract models in economics: [http://www.informaworld.com/openurl?genre=article&issn=1350%2d178X&issue=1&spage=1&volume=7] (email [[Kai Spiekermann]] for the pdf)
* Robert Clower's (1994) critique of the modern current of abstract economic theorizing [http://cas.umkc.edu/econ/economics/faculty/Lee/courses/502/reading/methcrit1.pdf]

== How to specify models ==

To specify models in the social sciences we need to set many parameters and make many assumptions:

* Agents: How much information?, How rational (bounded rationality, heuristics)?, stochastic elements (e.g. "trembling", random mistakes...)
* World: Abstract or high fidelity? Stochastic or deterministic? Static or dynamic (does the world change in time)?
* Interaction Agents-Agents: Fully defined as a (possibly multistage) game? If not, how to specify interaction. Link with bounded rationality?
* Interaction Agents-World: Static or dynamic (does the world change in time)?

Maybe it's useful to link these questions with some modelling theory in philosophy of science. A good intro can be found in chapter 1 of Michael Weisberg's thesis [http://webspace.utexas.edu/deverj/personal/test/lessmorefinal.pdf]. He also has some nice papers out [http://www.phil.upenn.edu/~weisberg/papers.html].

Here's the basic representation taken from Michal's thesis:

[[Giere Models.jpg]]
== Earlier Discussion ==
Models [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/models-science/] have fascinated philosophers of science for a long time. However, computational modeling is quite a new technique for the social sciences, and there relatively little has been written on the use of computational models in the social sciences from a philosophy of science perspective.

Here are some questions:

* Is there a systematic difference between modeling in the (natural) sciences and modeling in the social sciences?
* How detailed should our models be? (Two paradigms seem to be evolving: On the one hand, some researchers try to "grow societies" from the bottom up. These are sometimes called "thick" models. On the other hand, there are "thin" models, which try to model only one specific social mechanism with highly idealized models.)
* How are models related to "reality"?
* How do we make sure that our models are relevant and avoid producing artefacts?

We could discuss several examples of models in the social sciences and maybe read some of the (few) existing papers in this field and try to define our own position. If you are interested, please leave a comment or send me an email to k dot p dot spiekermann at lse dot ac dot uk.

Kai
--[[User:Spiekermann|Spiekermann]] 17:38, 5 June 2007 (MDT)

I'm interested in this topic. I think it is important to consider the history of modeling in the social sciences through the so-called 'Quantitative Revolution.' I would also like to further explore the entrenched (or imposed?) quantitative/qualitative divide across the social sciences and possible stigmas or clasifications that result from these distinctions.

An additional potential topic: validating and replicating results in the (hard) sciences versus the social sciences.

Liz (emullane at ucla dot edu)

Fascinating discussion. Can you post a list of sources in addition to the links? The Wiley link was broken when I tried it. I'd be happy to track down a copy from the bibliography.

Cheers- [[Ben Mazzotta]]

Hi Kai, I'd be very interested to participate and think about the issue (especially the two last themes you mentioned -- How are models related to "reality"? and -- How do we make sure that our models are relevant and avoid producing artefacts?. [[User:Amelie|Amelie]] 00:48, 6 June 2007 (MDT)

Hey, I posted a suggested meeting time on the related thread, [[Representing People]], for lunch on friday after Scott Page's lectures. Perhaps from there we could break off to one of the conference rooms in Santa Fe Hall.

GREAT! Thanks for all the comments so far (more always welcome). Let's meet for lunch on Friday. I think some people want to go on excursions on Friday afternoon, but we can decide over lunch how we want to proceed! Kai

How (not) to model social processes: Thick and thin models in the social sciences

2007-06-14T17:47:28Z

Spiekermann:

== People involved ==

(please put your name)
*[[Andrew Bell]]
*[[Kai Spiekermann]]
*[[Amir Goldberg]]
*[[Elizabeth Mullane]]
*[[Daniel Neilson]]

== Status ==
We had a first meeting on Friday (week 1) and have met again on Tuesday. This discussion should lead to a project soon.

== Resources ==
(please add more)

* Epstein, Generative Science: [http://press.princeton.edu/chapters/s8277.pdf]
* one critique by Gruene-Yanoff: [http://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/archive/00002784/]
* Robert Sugden's view on the use of abstract models in economics: [http://www.informaworld.com/openurl?genre=article&issn=1350%2d178X&issue=1&spage=1&volume=7] (email [[Kai Spiekermann]] for the pdf)
* Robert Clower's (1994) critique of the modern current of abstract economic theorizing [http://cas.umkc.edu/econ/economics/faculty/Lee/courses/502/reading/methcrit1.pdf]

== How to specify models ==

To specify models in the social sciences we need to set many parameters and make many assumptions:

* Agents: How much information?, How rational (bounded rationality, heuristics)?, stochastic elements (e.g. "trembling", random mistakes...)
* World: Abstract or high fidelity? Stochastic or deterministic? Static or dynamic (does the world change in time)?
* Interaction Agents-Agents: Fully defined as a (possibly multistage) game? If not, how to specify interaction. Link with bounded rationality?
* Interaction Agents-World: Static or dynamic (does the world change in time)?

Maybe it's useful to link these questions with some modelling theory in philosophy of science. A good intro can be found in chapter 1 of Michael Weisberg's thesis [http://webspace.utexas.edu/deverj/personal/test/lessmorefinal.pdf]. He also has some nice papers out [http://www.phil.upenn.edu/~weisberg/papers.html].

Here's the basic representation taken from Michal's thesis:

[[Image:Example.jpg]]
== Earlier Discussion ==
Models [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/models-science/] have fascinated philosophers of science for a long time. However, computational modeling is quite a new technique for the social sciences, and there relatively little has been written on the use of computational models in the social sciences from a philosophy of science perspective.

Here are some questions:

* Is there a systematic difference between modeling in the (natural) sciences and modeling in the social sciences?
* How detailed should our models be? (Two paradigms seem to be evolving: On the one hand, some researchers try to "grow societies" from the bottom up. These are sometimes called "thick" models. On the other hand, there are "thin" models, which try to model only one specific social mechanism with highly idealized models.)
* How are models related to "reality"?
* How do we make sure that our models are relevant and avoid producing artefacts?

We could discuss several examples of models in the social sciences and maybe read some of the (few) existing papers in this field and try to define our own position. If you are interested, please leave a comment or send me an email to k dot p dot spiekermann at lse dot ac dot uk.

Kai
--[[User:Spiekermann|Spiekermann]] 17:38, 5 June 2007 (MDT)

I'm interested in this topic. I think it is important to consider the history of modeling in the social sciences through the so-called 'Quantitative Revolution.' I would also like to further explore the entrenched (or imposed?) quantitative/qualitative divide across the social sciences and possible stigmas or clasifications that result from these distinctions.

An additional potential topic: validating and replicating results in the (hard) sciences versus the social sciences.

Liz (emullane at ucla dot edu)

Fascinating discussion. Can you post a list of sources in addition to the links? The Wiley link was broken when I tried it. I'd be happy to track down a copy from the bibliography.

Cheers- [[Ben Mazzotta]]

Hi Kai, I'd be very interested to participate and think about the issue (especially the two last themes you mentioned -- How are models related to "reality"? and -- How do we make sure that our models are relevant and avoid producing artefacts?. [[User:Amelie|Amelie]] 00:48, 6 June 2007 (MDT)

Hey, I posted a suggested meeting time on the related thread, [[Representing People]], for lunch on friday after Scott Page's lectures. Perhaps from there we could break off to one of the conference rooms in Santa Fe Hall.

GREAT! Thanks for all the comments so far (more always welcome). Let's meet for lunch on Friday. I think some people want to go on excursions on Friday afternoon, but we can decide over lunch how we want to proceed! Kai

CSSS 2007 Santa Fe-Tutorials

2007-06-11T22:37:09Z

Spiekermann:

{{CSSS 2007 Santa Fe}}

==Tutorial offers==

[[Discussion of Finite State Machines]]
DONE

[[ Matlab tutorial ]]
Monday June 11 7pm-8:30pm

[[Consciousness and/or visual processing]]
Tuesday June 12, 9:15AM

[[Cellular Automata]]
Wed June 13 9 am

[[Eigenvectors and Eigenvalues]]
!!NOTE NEW NEW NEW FINAL NEW NEW NEW TIME!! Tuesday, June 12, 7pm-7:50pm

[[ Closure Under Inversion]]
Wed, 13 June, 7 to 8 pm

[[Artificial Neural Networks]]
Friday, June 15, 1-2P

[[Applications of non-commutative harmonic analysis]]
Friday, June 15 2-4pm (provisional)

[[Intro to Game Theory]]
Mon June 18, 7pm to 8:30pm

[[Evolutionary Game Theory]]
Wed June 20, 10:45am-12pm

[[Introduction to Ecological Analysis]]

[[Self Organized Criticality]] Whose idea was this? Simon? Let's do it!!!

[[Complexity for the General Public]]

[[Stochastic search strategies and animal foraging]]

[[Human physiology or disease process]]

[[AHP and ExpertChoice]]

[[Wiki Tutorial 101]]: Ramp up and become a wikimaniac; learn the basics of wiki texting, discussions, etc.

[[UML for Complex Systems]] - how to address complexity/chaos in projects using the Unified Modeling Language (UML)

[[Social Choice Theory and the problem of collective rationality]] - Arrow Theorem and more...

[[Net Assessment]]

[[Agent-Based Modeling: Non-Technical Overview and Applications]]

[[Programming without lines of code: a graphical approach to programming using LabVIEW]]

==Tutorial requests==
*Introduction to machine learning and/or statistical learning

*NetLogo (now that we know what cool stuff it can do, it'd be nice to get a hands-on tutorial; e.g. bring a laptop to the tutorial and have a guided try-this session).

*Game theory, evolutionary game theory, stochastic game theory

*Genetic algorithms -> I think GA's will be covered in the evolutionary computation lectures. But if not, I'd be happy to give an informal introduction. ->Josh

*Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors

*Attractor Neural Networks

*Control theory

*Sequence Complexity/Information Theory [[http://www.santafe.edu/events/workshops/index.php/Gregor_Obernosterer Gregor]] -> Information theory will be covered by [[Tom_Carter]] in a late breaking session Friday 8th, 1.30. This will probably cover sequence complexity.

*Agent-based models of social systems [[Non-Technical Introduction and Overview]] - see above offerings

*Mathematics of Stochastic Processes

*Stochastic Differential Equations (e.g., Ito Calculus)

*Speedreading

*Graph Theory [[http://www.santafe.edu/events/workshops/index.php/Gregor_Obernosterer Gregor]]

How (not) to model social processes: Thick and thin models in the social sciences

2007-06-10T19:34:09Z

Spiekermann:

CSSS 2007 Santa Fe-Photos

2007-06-10T02:00:24Z

Spiekermann:

{{CSSS 2007 Santa Fe}}

[http://www.flickr.com/gp/37101095@N00/356JyG Alex Healing's flickr set]

In case you haven't seen it yet - the legendary [http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexhealing/527052274/in/set-72157600301479698/ Dog, Cat, Mouse pyramid]

[http://www.flickr.com/gp/31984053@N00/04j5Hw Amelie's flickr set] '''NEW: Calypso photos'''
-- In case you want to bookmark this set, be careful to bookmark '''this''' link and not the address of the page you're re-directed to. The photos are hidden and only accessible through the link I'm putting here.

Just a few photos from the road and our first day in Santa Fe. (I need to take more photographs). Warning: If you view this album, you will be looking at pictures of my very cute kid - of your own free will. [http://www.molliepoynton.com/SantaFeCSSS/ Mollie's Photos]

Some more pics, most taken by Biljana at the Calypso party, and some other stuff:
[http://www.box.net/shared/h5zu3cfykj Kai's photos on box.net]

CSSS 2007 Santa Fe-Photos

2007-06-10T01:58:04Z

Spiekermann:

CSSS 2007 Santa Fe-Photos

2007-06-10T01:57:28Z

Spiekermann:

{{CSSS 2007 Santa Fe}}

[http://www.flickr.com/gp/37101095@N00/356JyG Alex Healing's flickr set]

In case you haven't seen it yet - the legendary [http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexhealing/527052274/in/set-72157600301479698/ Dog, Cat, Mouse pyramid]

[http://www.flickr.com/gp/31984053@N00/04j5Hw Amelie's flickr set] '''NEW: Calypso photos'''
-- In case you want to bookmark this set, be careful to bookmark '''this''' link and not the address of the page you're re-directed to. The photos are hidden and only accessible through the link I'm putting here.

Just a few photos from the road and our first day in Santa Fe. (I need to take more photographs). Warning: If you view this album, you will be looking at pictures of my very cute kid - of your own free will. [http://www.molliepoynton.com/SantaFeCSSS/ Mollie's Photos]

Some more pics, most taken by Biljana at the Calypso party, and some other stuff:
[Kai's photos on box.net][http://www.box.net/shared/h5zu3cfykj]

CSSS 2007 Santa Fe-Photos

2007-06-10T01:57:02Z

Spiekermann:

How (not) to model social processes: Thick and thin models in the social sciences

2007-06-08T20:51:23Z

Spiekermann:

== People involved ==
(please put your name)

[[Kai Spiekermann]]

== Status ==
We had a first meeting on Friday (week 1) and plan to meet again on Monday/Tuesday. This discussion should lead to a project soon.

== Resources ==
(please add more)

* Epstein, Generative Science: [http://press.princeton.edu/chapters/s8277.pdf]
* one critique by Gruene-Yanoff: [http://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/archive/00002784/]
* Robert Sugden's view on the use of abstract models in economics: [http://www.informaworld.com/openurl?genre=article&issn=1350%2d178X&issue=1&spage=1&volume=7] (email [[Kai Spiekermann]] for the pdf)

== Discussion ==
Models [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/models-science/] have fascinated philosophers of science for a long time. However, computational modeling is quite a new technique for the social sciences, and there relatively little has been written on the use of computational models in the social sciences from a philosophy of science perspective.

Here are some questions:

* Is there a systematic difference between modeling in the (natural) sciences and modeling in the social sciences?
* How detailed should our models be? (Two paradigms seem to be evolving: On the one hand, some researchers try to "grow societies" from the bottom up. These are sometimes called "thick" models. On the other hand, there are "thin" models, which try to model only one specific social mechanism with highly idealized models.)
* How are models related to "reality"?
* How do we make sure that our models are relevant and avoid producing artefacts?

We could discuss several examples of models in the social sciences and maybe read some of the (few) existing papers in this field and try to define our own position. If you are interested, please leave a comment or send me an email to k dot p dot spiekermann at lse dot ac dot uk.

Kai
--[[User:Spiekermann|Spiekermann]] 17:38, 5 June 2007 (MDT)

I'm interested in this topic. I think it is important to consider the history of modeling in the social sciences through the so-called 'Quantitative Revolution.' I would also like to further explore the entrenched (or imposed?) quantitative/qualitative divide across the social sciences and possible stigmas or clasifications that result from these distinctions.

An additional potential topic: validating and replicating results in the (hard) sciences versus the social sciences.

Liz (emullane at ucla dot edu)

Fascinating discussion. Can you post a list of sources in addition to the links? The Wiley link was broken when I tried it. I'd be happy to track down a copy from the bibliography.

Cheers- [[Ben Mazzotta]]

Hi Kai, I'd be very interested to participate and think about the issue (especially the two last themes you mentioned -- How are models related to "reality"? and -- How do we make sure that our models are relevant and avoid producing artefacts?. [[User:Amelie|Amelie]] 00:48, 6 June 2007 (MDT)

Hey, I posted a suggested meeting time on the related thread, [[Representing People]], for lunch on friday after Scott Page's lectures. Perhaps from there we could break off to one of the conference rooms in Santa Fe Hall.

GREAT! Thanks for all the comments so far (more always welcome). Let's meet for lunch on Friday. I think some people want to go on excursions on Friday afternoon, but we can decide over lunch how we want to proceed! Kai

Boundary Conditions and Dynamics of Collective Intelligence

2007-06-08T03:41:45Z

Spiekermann:

== Motivation ==
After Dr Page's first lecture [http://www.santafe.edu/events/workshops/index.php/Paul_Dwyer Paul] posted a [http://www.santafe.edu/events/workshops/index.php/Measuring_diversity_of_expressed_thought_in_the_blogosphere project description] for measuring diversity, particularly the point where enough diversity is present to be effective in producing collective intelligence. Later [http://www.santafe.edu/events/workshops/index.php/Amir_Goldberg Amir] said: Why just look at where enough diversity starts? Why not look at what happens among a diverse group when they are together that causes their diversity to be diffused into homogeneity and their value as a diverse group lost? [http://www.santafe.edu/events/workshops/index.php/Joseph_DeRosa Joe] has been expressing similar thoughts in the realm of task-team formation and finding the optimal point of team dissolution, the point where most of the ideas have been shared and no more value remains for the group's continuance. 
 
So lets throw some questions out there: 
 
How do we define, measure and detect the boundary conditions for effective collective intelligence? 
 
Is the future of such a group always decay into homogeneous redundancy or is some kind of evolution possible? 

This sounds really interesting! After reading this I've posted my tutorial offer for social choice theory, which may be useful to tackle these questions. [[Social Choice Theory and the problem of collective rationality]] Kai

Boundary Conditions and Dynamics of Collective Intelligence

2007-06-08T03:41:20Z

Spiekermann:

Social Choice Theory and the problem of collective rationality

2007-06-08T03:30:07Z

Spiekermann:

Collective Intelligence is a buzz-word, and it seems that many people are interested in this area. I think that collective intelligence is closely linked with collective rationality. Excellent theoretical foundations for the question of collective rationality are provided by SOCIAL CHOICE THEORY.

Roughly speaking, social choice theory aims to explore the possibility of aggregating rational individual preferences (or judgements) to collectively rational preferences (or judgements). The arguments consist of rigorous mathematical/logical proofs. Social choice theory shows that aggregation is often impossible, given some (seemingly) weak requirements for the aggregation function. This gives rise to deep questions about the possibility of democracy, the decision procedures in committees/juries, or the issue of group agency.

I could give a short and non-formal introduction and point you to more advanced papers and proofs. I should say that I'm not doing research in social choice myself, but my supervisor does and I think I could convey at least the basics.

Given that we are all pretty busy, I was thinking about week 3, but if people want to do it earlier, let me know.
Kai --[[User:Spiekermann|Spiekermann]] 21:30, 7 June 2007 (MDT)

== I'm interested ==

CSSS 2007 Santa Fe-Tutorials

2007-06-08T03:06:30Z

Spiekermann:

{{CSSS 2007 Santa Fe}}

==Tutorial offers==
[[Consciousness and/or visual processing]]
Scheduled for Tuesday June 12, 9:15AM

[[Discussion of Finite State Machines]] - Thur June 7 from 7-830

[[Introduction to Ecological Analysis]]

[[ Closure Under Inversion]] Wed, 13 June, 7 to 8 pm

[[ Matlab tutorial ]]

[[Artificial Neural Networks]] Friday, June 15, 1-2P

[[Self Organized Criticality]] What is it? How does it relate to Complex Systems? What are some criticisms?

[[Complexity for the General Public]]

[[Eigenvectors and Eigenvalues]]

[[Applications of non-commutative harmonic analysis]] Friday, June 15 2-4pm (provisional)

[[Stochastic search strategies and animal foraging]]

[[Cellular Automata]]

[[AHP and ExpertChoice]]

[[Wiki Tutorial 101]]: Ramp up and become a wikimaniac; learn the basics of wiki texting, discussions, etc.

[[UML for Complex Systems]] - how to address complexity/chaos in projects using the Unified Modeling Language (UML)

[[Intro to Game Theory]]

[[Social Choice Theory and the problem of collective rationality]]

==Tutorial requests==
*Introduction to machine learning and/or statistical learning

*Game theory, evolutionary game theory, stochastic game theory

*Genetic algorithms -> I think GA's will be covered in the evolutionary computation lectures. But if not, I'd be happy to give an informal introduction. ->Josh

*Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors

*Attractor Neural Networks

*Control theory

*Sequence Complexity/Information Theory [[http://www.santafe.edu/events/workshops/index.php/Gregor_Obernosterer Gregor]] -> Information theory will be covered by [[Tom_Carter]] in a late breaking session Friday 8th, 1.30. This will probably cover sequence complexity.

*Agent-based models of social systems [[Non-Technical Introduction and Overview]]

*Mathematics of Stochastic Processes

How (not) to model social processes: Thick and thin models in the social sciences

2007-06-07T04:14:09Z

Spiekermann:

This could be the idea for a project - or maybe just a topic to discuss over a coffee. Please feel free to add ideas.

Models [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/models-science/] have fascinated philosophers of science for a long time. However, computational modeling is quite a new technique for the social sciences, and there relatively little has been written on the use of computational models in the social sciences from a philosophy of science perspective.

Here are some questions:

* Is there a systematic difference between modeling in the (natural) sciences and modeling in the social sciences?
* How detailed should our models be? (Two paradigms seem to be evolving: On the one hand, some researchers try to "grow societies" from the bottom up. These are sometimes called "thick" models. On the other hand, there are "thin" models, which try to model only one specific social mechanism with highly idealized models.)
* How are models related to "reality"?
* How do we make sure that our models are relevant and avoid producing artefacts?

We could discuss several examples of models in the social sciences and maybe read some of the (few) existing papers in this field and try to define our own position. If you are interested, please leave a comment or send me an email to k dot p dot spiekermann at lse dot ac dot uk.

Resources (more to be added):

* The "thick" approach: [http://press.princeton.edu/chapters/s8277.pdf] (link replaced. I should add that I had a long discussion with Aaron and Carver tonight. Aaron works with Epstein and Axtell and argued that I have misunderstood their generative science approach. If so, I should not use them as examples for "thick" models. Nevertheless, I think that the fundamental distinction between attempts to build rich extensive models and attempts to build highly abstract parsimonious models is still relevant.)
* one critique: [http://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/archive/00002784/]
* a view on the "thin" approach: [http://www.informaworld.com/openurl?genre=article&issn=1350%2d178X&issue=1&spage=1&volume=7]

(Please email me if you want the pdfs)

Kai
--[[User:Spiekermann|Spiekermann]] 17:38, 5 June 2007 (MDT)

I'm interested in this topic. I think it is important to consider the history of modeling in the social sciences through the so-called 'Quantitative Revolution.' I would also like to further explore the entrenched (or imposed?) quantitative/qualitative divide across the social sciences and possible stigmas or clasifications that result from these distinctions.

An additional potential topic: validating and replicating results in the (hard) sciences versus the social sciences.

Liz (emullane at ucla dot edu)

Fascinating discussion. Can you post a list of sources in addition to the links? The Wiley link was broken when I tried it. I'd be happy to track down a copy from the bibliography.

Cheers- [[Ben Mazzotta]]

Hi Kai, I'd be very interested to participate and think about the issue (especially the two last themes you mentioned -- How are models related to "reality"? and -- How do we make sure that our models are relevant and avoid producing artefacts?. [[User:Amelie|Amelie]] 00:48, 6 June 2007 (MDT)

Hey, I posted a suggested meeting time on the related thread, [[Representing People]], for lunch on friday after Scott Page's lectures. Perhaps from there we could break off to one of the conference rooms in Santa Fe Hall.

GREAT! Thanks for all the comments so far (more always welcome). Let's meet for lunch on Friday. I think some people want to go on excursions on Friday afternoon, but we can decide over lunch how we want to proceed! Kai

How (not) to model social processes: Thick and thin models in the social sciences

2007-06-07T03:56:50Z

Spiekermann:

This could be the idea for a project - or maybe just a topic to discuss over a coffee. Please feel free to add ideas.

Models [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/models-science/] have fascinated philosophers of science for a long time. However, computational modeling is quite a new technique for the social sciences, and there relatively little has been written on the use of computational models in the social sciences from a philosophy of science perspective.

Here are some questions:

* Is there a systematic difference between modeling in the (natural) sciences and modeling in the social sciences?
* How detailed should our models be? (Two paradigms seem to be evolving: On the one hand, some researchers try to "grow societies" from the bottom up. These are sometimes called "thick" models. On the other hand, there are "thin" models, which try to model only one specific social mechanism with highly idealized models.)
* How are models related to "reality"?
* How do we make sure that our models are relevant and avoid producing artefacts?

We could discuss several examples of models in the social sciences and maybe read some of the (few) existing papers in this field and try to define our own position. If you are interested, please leave a comment or send me an email to k dot p dot spiekermann at lse dot ac dot uk.

Resources (more to be added):

* The "thick" approach: [http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/(SICI)1099-0526(199905/06)4:5%3C41::AID-CPLX9%3E3.0.CO;2-F] (link repaired. I should add that I had a long discussion with Aaron and Carver tonight. Aaron works with Epstein and Axtell and argued that I have misunderstood their generative science approach. If so, I should not use them as examples for "thick" models. Nevertheless, I think that the fundamental distinction between attempts to build rich extensive models and attempts to build highly abstract parsimonious models is still relevant.)
* one critique: [http://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/archive/00002784/]
* a view on the "thin" approach: [http://www.informaworld.com/openurl?genre=article&issn=1350%2d178X&issue=1&spage=1&volume=7]

(Please email me if you want the pdfs)

Kai
--[[User:Spiekermann|Spiekermann]] 17:38, 5 June 2007 (MDT)

I'm interested in this topic. I think it is important to consider the history of modeling in the social sciences through the so-called 'Quantitative Revolution.' I would also like to further explore the entrenched (or imposed?) quantitative/qualitative divide across the social sciences and possible stigmas or clasifications that result from these distinctions.

An additional potential topic: validating and replicating results in the (hard) sciences versus the social sciences.

Liz (emullane at ucla dot edu)

Fascinating discussion. Can you post a list of sources in addition to the links? The Wiley link was broken when I tried it. I'd be happy to track down a copy from the bibliography.

Cheers- [[Ben Mazzotta]]

Hi Kai, I'd be very interested to participate and think about the issue (especially the two last themes you mentioned -- How are models related to "reality"? and -- How do we make sure that our models are relevant and avoid producing artefacts?. [[User:Amelie|Amelie]] 00:48, 6 June 2007 (MDT)

Hey, I posted a suggested meeting time on the related thread, [[Representing People]], for lunch on friday after Scott Page's lectures. Perhaps from there we could break off to one of the conference rooms in Santa Fe Hall.

GREAT! Thanks for all the comments so far (more always welcome). Let's meet for lunch on Friday. I think some people want to go on excursions on Friday afternoon, but we can decide over lunch how we want to proceed! Kai

How (not) to model social processes: Thick and thin models in the social sciences

2007-06-07T03:55:35Z

Spiekermann:

This could be the idea for a project - or maybe just a topic to discuss over a coffee. Please feel free to add ideas.

Models [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/models-science/] have fascinated philosophers of science for a long time. However, computational modeling is quite a new technique for the social sciences, and there relatively little has been written on the use of computational models in the social sciences from a philosophy of science perspective.

Here are some questions:

* Is there a systematic difference between modeling in the (natural) sciences and modeling in the social sciences?
* How detailed should our models be? (Two paradigms seem to be evolving: On the one hand, some researchers try to "grow societies" from the bottom up. These are sometimes called "thick" models. On the other hand, there are "thin" models, which try to model only one specific social mechanism with highly idealized models.)
* How are models related to "reality"?
* How do we make sure that our models are relevant and avoid producing artefacts?

We could discuss several examples of models in the social sciences and maybe read some of the (few) existing papers in this field and try to define our own position. If you are interested, please leave a comment or send me an email to k dot p dot spiekermann at lse dot ac dot uk.

Resources (more to be added):

* The "thick" approach: [http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/(SICI)1099-0526(199905/06)4:5%3C41::AID-CPLX9%3E3.0.CO;2-F] (link repaired. I should add that I had a long discussion with Aaron and Carver tonight. Aaron works with Epstein and Axtell and argued that I have misunderstoof their generative science approach. If so, I should not use them as examples for "thick" models. Nevertheless, I think that the fundamental distinction between attempts to build rich extensive models and attempts to build highly abstract parsimonious models is still relevant.)
* one critique: [http://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/archive/00002784/]
* a view on the "thin" approach: [http://www.informaworld.com/openurl?genre=article&issn=1350%2d178X&issue=1&spage=1&volume=7]

(Please email me if you want the pdfs)

Kai
--[[User:Spiekermann|Spiekermann]] 17:38, 5 June 2007 (MDT)

I'm interested in this topic. I think it is important to consider the history of modeling in the social sciences through the so-called 'Quantitative Revolution.' I would also like to further explore the entrenched (or imposed?) quantitative/qualitative divide across the social sciences and possible stigmas or clasifications that result from these distinctions.

An additional potential topic: validating and replicating results in the (hard) sciences versus the social sciences.

Liz (emullane at ucla dot edu)

Fascinating discussion. Can you post a list of sources in addition to the links? The Wiley link was broken when I tried it. I'd be happy to track down a copy from the bibliography.

Cheers- [[Ben Mazzotta]]

Hi Kai, I'd be very interested to participate and think about the issue (especially the two last themes you mentioned -- How are models related to "reality"? and -- How do we make sure that our models are relevant and avoid producing artefacts?. [[User:Amelie|Amelie]] 00:48, 6 June 2007 (MDT)

Hey, I posted a suggested meeting time on the related thread, [[Representing People]], for lunch on friday after Scott Page's lectures. Perhaps from there we could break off to one of the conference rooms in Santa Fe Hall.

GREAT! Thanks for all the comments so far (more always welcome). Let's meet for lunch on Friday. I think some people want to go on excursions on Friday afternoon, but we can decide over lunch how we want to proceed! Kai

How (not) to model social processes: Thick and thin models in the social sciences

2007-06-07T01:36:20Z

Spiekermann:

This could be the idea for a project - or maybe just a topic to discuss over a coffee. Please feel free to add ideas.

Models [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/models-science/] have fascinated philosophers of science for a long time. However, computational modeling is quite a new technique for the social sciences, and there relatively little has been written on the use of computational models in the social sciences from a philosophy of science perspective.

Here are some questions:

* Is there a systematic difference between modeling in the (natural) sciences and modeling in the social sciences?
* How detailed should our models be? (Two paradigms seem to be evolving: On the one hand, some researchers try to "grow societies" from the bottom up. These are sometimes called "thick" models. On the other hand, there are "thin" models, which try to model only one specific social mechanism with highly idealized models.)
* How are models related to "reality"?
* How do we make sure that our models are relevant and avoid producing artefacts?

We could discuss several examples of models in the social sciences and maybe read some of the (few) existing papers in this field and try to define our own position. If you are interested, please leave a comment or send me an email to k dot p dot spiekermann at lse dot ac dot uk.

Resources (more to be added):

* The "thick" approach: [http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/(SICI)1099-0526(199905/06)4:5%3C41::AID-CPLX9%3E3.0.CO;2-F] (link repaired)
* one critique: [http://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/archive/00002784/]
* a view on the "thin" approach: [http://www.informaworld.com/openurl?genre=article&issn=1350%2d178X&issue=1&spage=1&volume=7]

(Please email me if you want the pdfs)

Kai
--[[User:Spiekermann|Spiekermann]] 17:38, 5 June 2007 (MDT)

I'm interested in this topic. I think it is important to consider the history of modeling in the social sciences through the so-called 'Quantitative Revolution.' I would also like to further explore the entrenched (or imposed?) quantitative/qualitative divide across the social sciences and possible stigmas or clasifications that result from these distinctions.

An additional potential topic: validating and replicating results in the (hard) sciences versus the social sciences.

Liz (emullane at ucla dot edu)

Fascinating discussion. Can you post a list of sources in addition to the links? The Wiley link was broken when I tried it. I'd be happy to track down a copy from the bibliography.

Cheers- [[Ben Mazzotta]]

Hi Kai, I'd be very interested to participate and think about the issue (especially the two last themes you mentioned -- How are models related to "reality"? and -- How do we make sure that our models are relevant and avoid producing artefacts?. [[User:Amelie|Amelie]] 00:48, 6 June 2007 (MDT)

Hey, I posted a suggested meeting time on the related thread, [[Representing People]], for lunch on friday after Scott Page's lectures. Perhaps from there we could break off to one of the conference rooms in Santa Fe Hall.

GREAT! Thanks for all the comments so far (more always welcome). Let's meet for lunch on Friday. I think some people want to go on excursions on Friday afternoon, but we can decide over lunch how we want to proceed! Kai

How (not) to model social processes: Thick and thin models in the social sciences

2007-06-07T01:31:56Z

Spiekermann:

This could be the idea for a project - or maybe just a topic to discuss over a coffee. Please feel free to add ideas.

Models [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/models-science/] have fascinated philosophers of science for a long time. However, computational modeling is quite a new technique for the social sciences, and there relatively little has been written on the use of computational models in the social sciences from a philosophy of science perspective.

Here are some questions:

* Is there a systematic difference between modeling in the (natural) sciences and modeling in the social sciences?
* How detailed should our models be? (Two paradigms seem to be evolving: On the one hand, some researchers try to "grow societies" from the bottom up. These are sometimes called "thick" models. On the other hand, there are "thin" models, which try to model only one specific social mechanism with highly idealized models.)
* How are models related to "reality"?
* How do we make sure that our models are relevant and avoid producing artefacts?

We could discuss several examples of models in the social sciences and maybe read some of the (few) existing papers in this field and try to define our own position. If you are interested, please leave a comment or send me an email to k dot p dot spiekermann at lse dot ac dot uk.

Resources (more to be added):

* The "thick" approach: [http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/(SICI)1099-0526(199905/06)4:5%3C41::AID-CPLX9%3E3.0.CO;2-F] (link repaired)
* one critique: [http://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/archive/00002784/]
* a view on the "thin" approach: [http://www.informaworld.com/openurl?genre=article&issn=1350%2d178X&issue=1&spage=1&volume=7]

(Please email me if you want the pdfs)

Kai
--[[User:Spiekermann|Spiekermann]] 17:38, 5 June 2007 (MDT)

I'm interested in this topic. I think it is important to consider the history of modeling in the social sciences through the so-called 'Quantitative Revolution.' I would also like to further explore the entrenched (or imposed?) quantitative/qualitative divide across the social sciences and possible stigmas or clasifications that result from these distinctions.

An additional potential topic: validating and replicating results in the (hard) sciences versus the social sciences.

Liz (emullane at ucla dot edu)

Fascinating discussion. Can you post a list of sources in addition to the links? The Wiley link was broken when I tried it. I'd be happy to track down a copy from the bibliography.

Cheers- [[Ben Mazzotta]]

Hi Kai, I'd be very interested to participate and think about the issue (especially the two last themes you mentioned -- How are models related to "reality"? and -- How do we make sure that our models are relevant and avoid producing artefacts?. [[User:Amelie|Amelie]] 00:48, 6 June 2007 (MDT)

Hey, I posted a suggested meeting time on the related thread, [[Representing People]], for lunch on friday after Scott Page's lectures. Perhaps from there we could break off to one of the conference rooms in Santa Fe Hall.

How (not) to model social processes: Thick and thin models in the social sciences

2007-06-07T01:27:35Z

Spiekermann:

This could be the idea for a project - or maybe just a topic to discuss over a coffee. Please feel free to add ideas.

Models [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/models-science/] have fascinated philosophers of science for a long time. However, computational modeling is quite a new technique for the social sciences, and there relatively little has been written on the use of computational models in the social sciences from a philosophy of science perspective.

Here are some questions:

* Is there a systematic difference between modeling in the (natural) sciences and modeling in the social sciences?
* How detailed should our models be? (Two paradigms seem to be evolving: On the one hand, some researchers try to "grow societies" from the bottom up. These are sometimes called "thick" models. On the other hand, there are "thin" models, which try to model only one specific social mechanism with highly idealized models.)
* How are models related to "reality"?
* How do we make sure that our models are relevant and avoid producing artefacts?

We could discuss several examples of models in the social sciences and maybe read some of the (few) existing papers in this field and try to define our own position. If you are interested, please leave a comment or send me an email to k dot p dot spiekermann at lse dot ac dot uk.

Resources (more to be added):

* The "thick" approach: [http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/(SICI)1099-0526(199905/06)4:5%3C41::AID-CPLX9%3E3.0.CO;2-F] (link repaired)
* one critique: [http://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/archive/00002784/]

Kai
--[[User:Spiekermann|Spiekermann]] 17:38, 5 June 2007 (MDT)

I'm interested in this topic. I think it is important to consider the history of modeling in the social sciences through the so-called 'Quantitative Revolution.' I would also like to further explore the entrenched (or imposed?) quantitative/qualitative divide across the social sciences and possible stigmas or clasifications that result from these distinctions.

An additional potential topic: validating and replicating results in the (hard) sciences versus the social sciences.

Liz (emullane at ucla dot edu)

Fascinating discussion. Can you post a list of sources in addition to the links? The Wiley link was broken when I tried it. I'd be happy to track down a copy from the bibliography.

Cheers- [[Ben Mazzotta]]

Hi Kai, I'd be very interested to participate and think about the issue (especially the two last themes you mentioned -- How are models related to "reality"? and -- How do we make sure that our models are relevant and avoid producing artefacts?. [[User:Amelie|Amelie]] 00:48, 6 June 2007 (MDT)

Hey, I posted a suggested meeting time on the related thread, [[Representing People]], for lunch on friday after Scott Page's lectures. Perhaps from there we could break off to one of the conference rooms in Santa Fe Hall.

Tuesday 4:30 Lab Signup

2007-06-07T01:14:15Z

Spiekermann:

1. Risi Kondor

2. Ryan Chisholm

3. Kathryn Cooper

4. Hannah Cornish

5. Christian Darabos

6. Biljana Petreska

7. Dan Neilson

8. Kai Spiekermann

Tuesday 8:30 Lab Signup

2007-06-07T01:13:51Z

Spiekermann:

==Students in the 8:30 Lab Section==
# Rhonda Belue
# Ben Mazzotta
# Paul Dwyer
# Luciano Oviedo
# Mollie Poynton
# Yossi Yovel
# Gregor Obernosterer
# Liz Mullane
# Brian Lawler
# Juergen Pahle
# Frederic Bartumeus
# Elise Filotas

Friday 1:00 Lab Signup

2007-06-07T01:13:00Z

Spiekermann:

# rafal raciborski
# Amelie Veron
# Johan Nystrom
# Simon Angus

Tuesday 8:30 Lab Signup

2007-06-07T01:12:40Z

Spiekermann:

Friday 1:00 Lab Signup

2007-06-07T01:10:27Z

Spiekermann:

# rafal raciborski
# Amelie Veron
# Johan Nystrom
# Simon Angus
# Kai Spiekermann

Kai Spiekermann

2007-06-07T01:09:11Z

Spiekermann:

[[Image:Kai with spheres.jpg]]

Suite D5, Room 1, Ext. 4329

Hi! I'm Kai, 29 years old, currently a PhD candidate in London (LSE), but originally from Germany. I have a political science background, but I'm now somewhere between the frontiers of political theory, philosophy and (maybe a bit of) sociology. My interests include social dynamics, subtle processes of norm enforcement, cooperation, evolutionary game theory, and the links of these with political philosophy and ethics. (Very short summary: It's a mess! ;-)

Yes, I do have a life apart from my thesis (right now I'm trying to finish the bloody thing, so maybe I don't...), and this life consists of going to the theatre, visiting galleries, watching movies, trying new bars, cooking, and a lot of non-academic reading.

I'm looking forward to meeting you in June!
Kai

k * p * spiekermann () lse * ac * uk

http://personal.lse.ac.uk/spiekerm/

Also, here are my answers to Dan's questions:

1. Main Interests:

I'm a political philosopher with a political science background. I'm interested in norm emergence and compliance, computational models of social processes, and philosophy of the social sciences.

2. Expertise:

I've set up some small simulations in Mathematica (and I like to get better at it). However, (assuming that there will many much more prolific programmers around), I think my core expertise for the group will be on the theoretical side, e.g. philosophical issues of model-building, moral philosophy and model-building, links with political science, etc.

3. What I hope to get out of the CSSS

Apart from learning new stuff and looking across disciplinary boundaries, I'm particularly interested in meeting people who share my interest in applying computational models in philosophy and the social sciences. But it would also be cool if I end up doing something completely different in the end!

4. Possible projects:

a.) One big question which has been on my mind for quite a while:
What is the the use of computational models in the social sciences from a descriptive / prescriptive / philosophy of science perspective?
Maybe we can work on one aspect of this question...

b.) Recently, Geoff Brennan and Philip Pettit described the "Economy of Esteem" (2004) as a major reason why people obey social norms. Roughly speaking, people want other people to think well of them and adapt their behavior accordingly. Can we think of agent-based models of esteem exchange? Are there interesting dynamics of esteem?

How (not) to model social processes: Thick and thin models in the social sciences

2007-06-05T23:40:15Z

Spiekermann:

How (not) to model social processes: Thick and thin models in the social sciences

2007-06-05T23:38:56Z

Spiekermann:

Representing People

2007-06-05T23:19:42Z

Spiekermann:

'''Contact''': Andrew Bell (andybell@umich.edu)

I’d like to get a group together to discuss model representations of social systems – what are the different approaches we can take, and what is the scope of the knowledge we can get out of them (and how should it be used).

I would be interested. Dan N.

Me too. Saleha Habibullah

I'm also interested. I've added a separate discussion point [http://www.santafe.edu/events/workshops/index.php/How_%28not%29_to_model_social_processes:_Thick_and_thin_models_in_the_social_sciences] this morning, but maybe we should merge the two? Kai

How (not) to model social processes: Thick and thin models in the social sciences

2007-06-05T16:35:08Z

Spiekermann:

How (not) to model social processes: Thick and thin models in the social sciences

2007-06-05T16:34:04Z

Spiekermann:

This could be the idea for a project - or maybe just a topic for a coffee. Please feel free to add ideas.

Models [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/models-science/] have fascinated philosophers of science for a long time. However, computational modeling is quite a new technique for the social sciences, and there relatively little has been written on the use of computational models in the social sciences from a philosophy of science perspective.

Here are some questions:

* Is there a systematic difference between modeling in the (natural) sciences and modeling in the social sciences?
* How detailed should our models be? (Two paradigms seem to be evolving: On the one hand, some researchers try to "grow societies" from the bottom up. These are sometimes called "thick" models. On the other hand, there are "thin" models, which try to model only one specific social mechanism with highly idealized models.)
* How are models related to "reality"?
* How do we make sure that our models are relevant and avoid producing artefacts?

We could discuss several examples of models in the social sciences and maybe read some of the (few) existing papers in this field and try to define our own position. If you are interested, please leave a comment or send me an email at k dot p dot spiekermann at lse dot ac dot uk.

Kai

CSSS 2007 Santa Fe-Projects & Working Groups

2007-06-05T16:15:01Z

Spiekermann:

{{CSSS 2007 Santa Fe}}

[http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~rockmore/Projects.pdf Project Ideas Culled from Responses to Dan's Questions]

----
= Discuss =
* [[Representing_People]] (discuss model representations of social systems)
* [[Communicating complexity]] (discuss the role the tools of complexity might/should play in communicating nonlinearity)
* [[Applied complexity]] (discuss the application of chaos/complex systems theory to organizations)
* [[Emergent Behavior in Socio-Techno networks – in Depth and for Real]]
* [[How (not) to model social processes: Thick and thin models in the social sciences]]

= Project Groups =
* [[The evolution of social cohesion]]
* [[Healthcare interest group]]
* [[Genotype_Phenotype|Genotype or phenotype? Getting beyond strategy modelling in the social sciences]]
* [[CellPhones|Cell phones in emerging economies: what's the economic impact?]]
* [[Learning & the aging brain]]
----

Consciousness and/or visual processing

2007-06-04T23:19:52Z

Spiekermann:

{{CSSS 2007 Santa Fe}}

Hi, I'd be happy to do a tutorial on the current state of knowledge about consciousness or visual processing if people are interested. Perhaps add your name here or I will start a post on the forum to sense interest. Vikas

I'm very interested! Kai

Kai Spiekermann

2007-05-31T22:29:47Z

Spiekermann:

[[Image:Kai with spheres.jpg]]

Hi! I'm Kai, 29 years old, currently a PhD candidate in London (LSE), but originally from Germany. I have a political science background, but I'm now somewhere between the frontiers of political theory, philosophy and (maybe a bit of) sociology. My interests include social dynamics, subtle processes of norm enforcement, cooperation, evolutionary game theory, and the links of these with political philosophy and ethics. (Very short summary: It's a mess! ;-)

Yes, I do have a life apart from my thesis (right now I'm trying to finish the bloody thing, so maybe I don't...), and this life consists of going to the theatre, visiting galleries, watching movies, trying new bars, cooking, and a lot of non-academic reading.

I'm looking forward to meeting you in June!
Kai

k * p * spiekermann () lse * ac * uk

http://personal.lse.ac.uk/spiekerm/

Also, here are my answers to Dan's questions:

1. Main Interests:

I'm a political philosopher with a political science background. I'm interested in norm emergence and compliance, computational models of social processes, and philosophy of the social sciences.

2. Expertise:

I've set up some small simulations in Mathematica (and I like to get better at it). However, (assuming that there will many much more prolific programmers around), I think my core expertise for the group will be on the theoretical side, e.g. philosophical issues of model-building, moral philosophy and model-building, links with political science, etc.

3. What I hope to get out of the CSSS

Apart from learning new stuff and looking across disciplinary boundaries, I'm particularly interested in meeting people who share my interest in applying computational models in philosophy and the social sciences. But it would also be cool if I end up doing something completely different in the end!

4. Possible projects:

a.) One big question which has been on my mind for quite a while:
What is the the use of computational models in the social sciences from a descriptive / prescriptive / philosophy of science perspective?
Maybe we can work on one aspect of this question...

b.) Recently, Geoff Brennan and Philip Pettit described the "Economy of Esteem" (2004) as a major reason why people obey social norms. Roughly speaking, people want other people to think well of them and adapt their behavior accordingly. Can we think of agent-based models of esteem exchange? Are there interesting dynamics of esteem?

Kai Spiekermann

2007-05-31T22:29:01Z

Spiekermann:

[[Image:Kai with spheres.jpg]]

Hi! I'm Kai, 29 years old, currently a PhD candidate in London (LSE), but originally from Germany. I have a political science background, but I'm now somewhere between the frontiers of political theory, philosophy and (maybe a bit of) sociology. My interests include social dynamics, subtle processes of norm enforcement, cooperation, evolutionary game theory, and the links of these with political philosophy and ethics. (Very short summary: It's a mess! ;-)

Yes, I do have a life apart from my thesis (right now I'm trying to finish the bloody thing, so maybe I don't...), and this life consists of going to the theatre, visiting galleries, watching movies, trying new bars, cooking, and a lot of non-academic reading.

I'm looking forward to meeting you in June!
Kai

k * p * spiekermann () lse * ac * uk

http://personal.lse.ac.uk/spiekerm/

Also, here are my answers to Dan's questions:

1. Main Interests:
I'm a political philosopher with a political science background. I'm interested in norm emergence and compliance, computational models of social processes, and philosophy of the social sciences.

2. Expertise:
I've set up some small simulations in Mathematica (and I like to get better at it). However, (assuming that there will many much more prolific programmers around), I think my core expertise for the group will be on the theoretical side, e.g. philosophical issues of model-building, moral philosophy and model-building, links with political science, etc.

3. What I hope to get out of the CSSS
Apart from learning new stuff and looking across disciplinary boundaries, I'm particularly interested in meeting people who share my interest in applying computational models in philosophy and the social sciences. But it would also be cool if I end up doing something completely different in the end!

4. Possible projects:

a.) One big question which has been on my mind for quite a while:
What is the the use of computational models in the social sciences from a descriptive / prescriptive / philosophy of science perspective?
Maybe we can work on one aspect of this question...

b.) Recently, Geoff Brennan and Philip Pettit described the "Economy of Esteem" (2004) as a major reason why people obey social norms. Roughly speaking, people want other people to think well of them and adapt their behavior accordingly. Can we think of agent-based models of esteem exchange? Are there interesting dynamics of esteem?

Kai Spiekermann

2007-05-31T22:28:34Z

Spiekermann:

[[Image:Kai with spheres.jpg]]

Hi! I'm Kai, 29 years old, currently a PhD candidate in London (LSE), but originally from Germany. I have a political science background, but I'm now somewhere between the frontiers of political theory, philosophy and (maybe a bit of) sociology. My interests include social dynamics, subtle processes of norm enforcement, cooperation, evolutionary game theory, and the links of these with political philosophy and ethics. (Very short summary: It's a mess! ;-)

Yes, I do have a life apart from my thesis (right now I'm trying to finish the bloody thing, so maybe I don't...), and this life consists of going to the theatre, visiting galleries, watching movies, trying new bars, cooking, and a lot of non-academic reading.

I'm looking forward to meeting you in June!
Kai

k * p * spiekermann () lse * ac * uk
http://personal.lse.ac.uk/spiekerm/

Also, here are my answers to Dan's questions:

1. Main Interests:
I'm a political philosopher with a political science background. I'm interested in norm emergence and compliance, computational models of social processes, and philosophy of the social sciences.

2. Expertise:
I've set up some small simulations in Mathematica (and I like to get better at it). However, (assuming that there will many much more prolific programmers around), I think my core expertise for the group will be on the theoretical side, e.g. philosophical issues of model-building, moral philosophy and model-building, links with political science, etc.

3. What I hope to get out of the CSSS
Apart from learning new stuff and looking across disciplinary boundaries, I'm particularly interested in meeting people who share my interest in applying computational models in philosophy and the social sciences. But it would also be cool if I end up doing something completely different in the end!

4. Possible projects:

a.) One big question which has been on my mind for quite a while:
What is the the use of computational models in the social sciences from a descriptive / prescriptive / philosophy of science perspective?
Maybe we can work on one aspect of this question...

b.) Recently, Geoff Brennan and Philip Pettit described the "Economy of Esteem" (2004) as a major reason why people obey social norms. Roughly speaking, people want other people to think well of them and adapt their behavior accordingly. Can we think of agent-based models of esteem exchange? Are there interesting dynamics of esteem?

Kai Spiekermann

2007-04-02T20:39:42Z

Spiekermann:

User:Spiekermann

2007-04-02T20:37:56Z

Spiekermann:

Kai Spiekermann

2007-04-02T20:37:07Z

Spiekermann:

Kai Spiekermann

2007-04-02T20:36:45Z

Spiekermann:

Kai Spiekermann

2007-04-02T20:36:21Z

Spiekermann:

== Kai Spiekermann ==

[[Image:Kai with spheres.jpg]]

Hi! I'm Kai, 29 years old, currently a PhD candidate in London (LSE), but originally from Germany. I have a political science background, but I'm now somewhere between the frontiers of political theory, philosophy and (maybe a bit of) sociology. My interests include social dynamics, subtle processes of norm enforcement, cooperation, evolutionary game theory, and the links of these with political philosophy and ethics. (Very short summary: It's a mess! ;-)

Yes, I do have a life apart from my thesis (right now I'm trying to finish the bloody thing, so maybe I don't...), and this life consists of going to the theatre, visiting galleries, watching movies, trying new bars, cooking, and a lot of non-academic reading.

I'm looking forward to meeting you in June!
Kai

User:Spiekermann

2007-04-02T20:25:56Z

Spiekermann: Kai Spiekermann's personal page

User:Spiekermann

2007-04-02T20:10:11Z

Spiekermann:

File:Kai with spheres.jpg

2007-04-02T20:09:03Z

Spiekermann:

Kai's portrait for personal page.

File:Kai with spheres.jpg

2007-04-02T19:57:17Z

Spiekermann: