Disaster Series: High-Reliability Organizing (HRO) as Self-Organization

Abstract

Oscillatory processes, basic to the functions of life, are intrinsic to the stability of physiological systems. After oscillations gain stochastic resonance, the power spectrum increases in lower frequencies – as environmental stochastic noise, uncommon events gain greater influence on the system. Even weak or relatively small stochastic noise can create and sustain significant oscillations. In physiology, stochastic noise disruption beyond normal bounds is associated with disease, creating the phenomena we observe and treat. Pink noise, the 1/f oscillation, has an increasing power spectrum at low frequencies producing abrupt, rapid fluctuations that bring catastrophic failure. Self-organization promotes stability and stable patterns. As a response to stochastic noise, self-organization is an agile, adaptive response that starts with the engagement of the situation. Paraconsistent and modal logics work with inconsistent and contradictory information and the different ways things are true. Motor cognition adjusts our actions to changing situations; we learn through physical actions. Mirror neurons help us understand the intent and actions of others during self-organization, creating a gateway to social cognition. During a disaster, operations occur in a topological space which constrains and facilitates actions in pink noise crises. Self-organization is the natural and effective response to disruptive environmental stochastic noise.