487
an organizing paradigm for attacking problems as diverse as the development in cells of an array
of self-folding protein sequences, the self-organization of metabolic networks, the self-wiring (and
self-training) of the brain, the spontaneous development of human language and culture, and the
very origins of life from its precursors.
Many scientists believe that the parallels between these problems go deeper than just words,
and that a common modularity underlies them all. Following up on this idea will require skills
from many disciplines. Indeed, in its small way this book has sought to weave together many
threads, including biochemistry, physiology, physical chemistry, statistical physics, neuroscience,
fluid mechanics, materials science, cell biology, nonlinear dynamics, the history of science, and yes,
even French cooking. Our unifying theme has been to look at complex phenomena via simple
model-building. Now it’s Your Turn to apply this approach to your own questions.