Order to Chaos

This image uses the visual metaphor of a wave to represent the concepts of order, complexity, and chaos, and their intersections.

Order: This is represented by the calm, deep blue water on the left. In the context of systems or organizations, order refers to a state where things are predictable and stable, much like the still waters.

Edge of Order: The line labeled "Edge of Order" marks the start of the wave. This is where order begins to give way to complexity — it's where the system starts to experience change, but the change is still manageable and the system can absorb it without becoming unstable.

Complexity: The wave represents complexity. In a system, complexity is characterized by many interconnected parts and variables that can influence each other in unpredictable ways. The wave is an analogy for this as it holds a dynamic form that is neither completely predictable nor entirely random.

Edge of Chaos: This is the cresting point of the wave, where the water is most turbulent. It represents a critical threshold where the system is on the brink of moving from a complex state to one of disorder and unpredictability. 

Chaos: In systems, chaos is a state where predictability is low and understanding the system's behavior becomes extremely difficult. The breaking wave represents this loss of structure and the onset of turbulence.