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Summary

The urgency explicit in soliciting scientists to address the prediction of Xevents is understandable, but not really conducive to a foundational perspective. In the following methodological considerations, a perspective is submitted that builds upon the necessary representation of Xevents, either in mathematical or in computational terms. While only of limited functional nature, the semiotic methodology suggested is conducive to the basic questions associated with Xevent prediction: the dynamics of unfolding Xevents; the distinction between Xevents in the deterministic realm of physics and the nondeterministic realm of the living; the foundation of anticipation and the possibility of anticipatory computing; the holistic perspective. As opposed to case studies, this contribution is geared towards a model-based description that corresponds to the nonrepetitive nature of Xevents. Therefore, it advances a complementary model of science focused on singularity, providing a nondeterministic understanding of high-complexity phenomena.

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© 2006 Center for Frontier Sciences

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Nadin, M. (2006). Anticipating Extreme Events. In: Albeverio, S., Jentsch, V., Kantz, H. (eds) Extreme Events in Nature and Society. The Frontiers Collection. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-28611-X_2

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