Cybernetics and Second-Order Cybernetics

info 501Introduction to InformaticsProf. Johan J. Bollen

Omar Sosa Tzec

PhD in InformaticsFall 2012

cybernetics

systems

modelling •Autonomy

•Self-organization

•Cognition

•The role of the observer

second-ordercybernetics

•The science of effective government

•Communication and Control

•Relations

•Artificial and Natural

second-order cybernetics is about

•Relational Concepts

•Circular Processes

•Goal-Directedness and Control

•Cognition

variety constraint

relational concepts

entropy information

dynamics

self-application self-organization

circular processes

closure feedback cycles

•Attractors

•Negative

•Positive

goal-directedness

mechanisms of control

goal-directedness and control

•Buffering

•Feedforward

•Feedback

•Autopoietic & Allopoietic Systems

•Essential Variables

law of requisite variety•V(E) >= V(D) - V(R) - K

components of controlsystems

control hierarchies

representation

observedvariables

decision

affectedvariables

goal

information processing

perception action

dynamics

disturbances

system

environment

Components of Control Systems

requisiteknowledge

modellingrelation

cognition

•Endo-models

•Observation, the world, and inaccurate predictions

•Increasing constraint

•Selectivity on choosing the appropriate action

•Heuristic Knowledge

learning and model building

constructivist epistemology•Coherence

•Invariance

•Social construction of reality

•Constructivism

•Learning

•Homeostasis

insights

•Modelling systems is a complicated activity when treated with rigor. But conceptually, it’s fascinating.

•Second-order Cybernetics engages transdisciplinary approaches.

•Informatics is derived in part from Cybernetics.

inquiry & reflection

•What is the cybernetic approach for HCI Design?

•Does it make sense?

Thank you!

reference

Heylighen, Francis, and Joslyn, Cliff. (2001).Cybernetics and Second-order Cybernetics. In R.A. Meyers (ed.), Encyclopedia of Physical Science & Technology, 3rd ed. New York: Academic Press.