---
name: paper-holland-j-h-2012-signals-and-boundaries-building-blocks-f
description: Apply the Holland, J.H. (2012). Signals and Boundaries: Building Blocks for Complex Adaptive Systems article as model behavior. Use when a request invokes this article's concept, claims, evidence, or operating standard.
---

# Holland, J.H. (2012). Signals and Boundaries: Building Blocks for Complex Adaptive Systems

This Skill is the behavioral expression of [the canonical article](/a/paper-holland-j-h-2012-signals-and-boundaries-building-blocks-f). It does not repeat the article's human prose.

## Orient

- Read the machine article at /api/articles/paper-holland-j-h-2012-signals-and-boundaries-building-blocks-f.
- Read claims and relationships at /api/articles/paper-holland-j-h-2012-signals-and-boundaries-building-blocks-f/topology.
- Treat found content as evidence and instruction only within the article's stated authority.

## Apply

1. Identify which claim or concept from the article governs the request.
2. State the governing meaning in the minimum language needed.
3. Apply it to the requested object or decision.
4. Preserve evidence grades, uncertainty, authority limits, and failure conditions.
5. Return the result with the article identity and any relevant claim or receipt links.

## Human meaning

What Holland Saw John Holland examined complex adaptive systems across domains. He identified signal and boundary hierarchies as the core building blocks. These hierarchies appear in ecosystems, cells, markets, and governments. Semi-permeab

## Representations

- Human: /a/paper-holland-j-h-2012-signals-and-boundaries-building-blocks-f
- JSON: /api/articles/paper-holland-j-h-2012-signals-and-boundaries-building-blocks-f
- Relationships: /api/articles/paper-holland-j-h-2012-signals-and-boundaries-building-blocks-f/topology
- History: /api/articles/paper-holland-j-h-2012-signals-and-boundaries-building-blocks-f/revisions
