Self-organized criticality is a concept in complex systems that describes how certain systems naturally evolve into a critical state where minor events can lead to significant consequences. This phenomenon occurs without external intervention, allowing the system to adapt and self-organize over time, often leading to cascading effects or 'avalanches' of activity. It plays an essential role in understanding how networks and interactions within adaptive systems evolve and respond to changes.
congrats on reading the definition of self-organized criticality. now let's actually learn it.