“Scale” Geoffrey West’s book 978-0143110903

“Scale: The Universal Laws of Life, Growth, and Death in Organisms, Cities, and Companies” by Geoffrey West is a comprehensive exploration of how scaling principles govern the behavior of complex systems across different domains like biology, economics, and physics. West, a physicist and former director of the Santa Fe Institute, draws from his extensive research to delve into the impact of scale on system behaviors.

The book is structured in three parts:

1. Concept of Scaling: Introduces the principle of scaling and how it influences complex systems. West argues that scaling is a fundamental principle governing many systems, and understanding it can reveal underlying principles and behaviors​​.
2. Scaling in Various Systems: Examines scaling in living organisms, cities, and the economy. Key topics include the relationship between metabolic rate and body size in organisms, scaling behaviors in cities like the relation between population density and crime rates, and economic aspects like the link between GDP and population size​​.
3. Synthesis of Ideas: The final part synthesizes earlier ideas, offering a framework for understanding complex systems at different scales. It emphasizes how scaling provides insights into the underlying principles of these systems​​.

Despite its comprehensive data and engaging writing, the book has been critiqued for certain aspects. A reviewer noted that while West’s arguments are convincing and backed by evidence, they may be more sweeping than the data warrants. The book’s focus on universality, especially in examples like Kleiber’s law, has been questioned for overgeneralization. Similarly, the use of patents as a metric for innovation and the conclusions drawn about firm dynamics based on limited data have been subjects of critique. Nonetheless, the book is recognized as a major contribution to science, offering rich data and novel perspectives, albeit with a recommendation to read it critically​​.

FAQ about “Scale” Geoffrey West’s book 978-0143110903

What is a scale book 978-0143110903?