  In many complex systems, we observe that `interesting behaviour' is often the
consequence of a system exploiting the existence of an Information Bottleneck
(IB). These bottlenecks can occur at different scales, between individuals or
components of a system, and sometimes within individuals themselves.
Oftentimes, we regard these bottlenecks negatively; as merely the limitations
of the individual's physiology and something that ought to be overcome when
designing and implementing artificial systems. However, we suggest instead that
IBs may serve a purpose beyond merely providing a minimally-viable channel for
coordination in collective systems. More specifically, we suggest that
interesting or novel behaviour occurs when the individuals in a system are
constrained or limited in their ability to share information and must discover
novel ways to exploit existing mechanisms, which are inherently bottlenecked,
rather than circumventing or otherwise avoiding those mechanisms entirely.
