HIS140 task 1 concept map by Taylor Butler

Complexity

taylorbutler817 — 2025-08-14 10:13:16 UTC

When a system gains energy it has the ability to generate complexity or interconnection in the form of knowledge, technology and resources. This often creates increasingly interdependent webs which form structures that often make up civilizations. (Christian 2003)

Energy

taylorbutler817 — 2025-08-14 10:13:25 UTC

Increased energy in a system generates increased complexity. With increased complexity often order is diminished and there is increased intersection between parts of a whole. These systems cannot be mapped in a traditional sense because of the intersectionality and non-linear relationships within them (Christian, 2003).

Evolution

taylorbutler817 — 2025-08-14 10:13:32 UTC

As a system gains complexity and energy more resources can be extracted. When a group or system amasses resources trade can occur which generates wealth and power. Collective knowledge is possessed by humans alone. It allows humans to adapt to environments far more effectively than any animal. collective knowledge increases the pace which collective change and subsequently increased complexity occurs (Christian, 2003)

Trade in increasingly complex systems

taylorbutler817 — 2025-08-14 10:13:40 UTC

What once was the exchange of goods within communities has increased in complexity to meet the needs of civilizations. It evolved to trade between communities, across regions, seas, and the establishment of large scale and global trading routes (McNeil & McNeil, 2003).

European colonialism and empire

taylorbutler817 — 2025-08-14 10:14:51 UTC

The British east India Company was an example of British colonial power which eventually dissolved in the 1880's. Its complexity was increased by the fusion and interaction of many things including but not limited to, spices trade and goods. British and global politics and power, increased naval control, the exploitation of people and resources, colonial concepts of sovereignty, complex interactions with allies, enemies and impartial nations and parties. Racist and religious ideologies and colonial hierarchies. And critically the exchange and interconnection of culture. Each of these things generated energy and complexity within the system in addition to the lack of order which Christian refers to as a byproduct of complexity (2003).

Civilisation

taylorbutler817 — 2025-08-14 10:15:28 UTC

Civilizations have an increased need for resources and therefore an increased drive to generate energy and complexity within their already complex systems. This is exemplified in the drive for trade.

Global citizenship and globalization

taylorbutler817 — 2025-08-14 10:31:03 UTC

The more humans there are and the more they interact the larger collective knowledge we possess. The British east India company established complex transnational connections and hierarchies following the increase in energy which tea and textiles provided. These interactions amassed the British empire great wealth and collective knowledge enabling the empire to flourish and providing the foundation for trade even in the 21st century. The intersection of culture alone rapidly increases the energy and complexity of society alone (Freeman, 2003).

The Industrial Revolution

taylorbutler817 — 2025-08-15 00:45:39 UTC

The industrial revolution is an example of increased energy entering a system in the form of technology and machinery which allowed humans to produce goods and sustain themselves far more effectively. Increasing the complexity of the system. This is an example of collective learning and cultural adaptation. It signified a rapid acceleration in collective change and complexity within the system that is society. This is also an example of how accumulated knowledge informs our practices of survival and adaptation. It also enabled trade on a larger scale which contributed to the short lived success of the British East India company.

The British East India Company

taylorbutler817 — 2025-08-15 00:55:49 UTC

Following the industrial revolution an increased ability and desire for large scale trade occurred (Nierstrasz, 2015). The establishment of the British East India Company allowed for the rapid increase of energy within western society and the subsequent binding of previously unrelated ideas into one much more complex system. Cultures interacted and exchanged goods and ideas. Collective knowledge in the form of shared customs emerged and the system became far more complex than it had been previously (Christian, 2003).