SOC (self-organized criticality)

Self-organized criticality (SOC) is a concept where complex systems naturally evolve into a critical state, balancing between order and chaos. In this state, small changes can lead to significant events, such as avalanches or stock market crashes. It’s like a pile of sand: adding one grain can trigger a massive slide. SOC occurs in various systems, from ecosystems to social behaviors, highlighting how small, incremental changes can lead to unpredictable, large-scale consequences without external forces driving the process. This idea helps us understand and predict the behavior of complex, dynamic systems in nature and society.