I think the network effect is perhaps the critical dynamic at play when we are considering higher-order entities such as groups of humans, compared to humans.
What distinguishes a higher order entity in this sense, I'd say is the amount of connections made between units of the system, connections that emerge and may not be inducible solely from a single unit.
Sort of what I'm aiming for with the autodidactic program, to achieve a network effect between many regions of thin topic-based knowledge, and to build a reticulum that elevates the state of affairs.