Complex Response: An environmental reaction to change that occurs at multiple levels to multiple objects, and can induce a chain reaction of responses to a single initial change.
The reaction to a change at multiple, and possibly unforeseen, levels. This could include a chain reaction of responses to a single initial change, resulting in a complex set of results, which in turn, could lead to more, and again possibly unforeseen, change. Succinctly, it is akin to the butterfly effect: one small event (change) can cascade through a given system creating new agents of change, and operating at several levels.
The term complex response in most commonly used in fluvial geomorphology, or the study of river systems and changes within those systems.
Famous quotes containing the words complex and/or response:
“In the case of all other sciences, arts, skills, and crafts, everyone is convinced that a complex and laborious programme of learning and practice is necessary for competence. Yet when it comes to philosophy, there seems to be a currently prevailing prejudice to the effect that, although not everyone who has eyes and fingers, and is given leather and last, is at once in a position to make shoes, everyone nevertheless immediately understands how to philosophize.”
—Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770–1831)
“Women had to deal with the men’s response when the women wanted more time “out” of the home; men now must deal with the women’s response as men want more time “in.””
—Kyle D. Pruett (20th century)