Mode 2 and Techno-scientific Roots of Computer Science

Vladimir FedorovMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology

Intro

• The Contemporary Innovation Challenge

• Mode 2 [Gibbons94] has some answers to the challenge• Origins of computer science as Mode 2 of Innovation

Research Aims:• Is Mode 2 of Innovation possible?• If yes, how knowledge and innovation production should be structured?• Mapping today R&D practices with conventional academical perceptions

My Background

• Software Development – operating system kernel

• Philosophy of High-Tech and Innovation

• Software start-ups, research communities

The Innovation Challenge

1.• Uncertain Environment• Complex • Context of Implication

2.• Convergence• Responsible• Coherent

Mode 2 of Knowledge Production

• Context of application / implication • Solve unique problems• Reflective and socially accountable• Transdisciplinary

• [Gibbons94] states Computer Science emerged as Mode 2• Is Mode 2 framework up for the Innovation Challenge?

Computer Science\IT overview

• Technoscience in context of application

• “Framework for applications”

• System\software environment science

• “Implicators”

ElectromechanicalElectronic

Acoustic

von Neumann HarvardDiscrete and Applied Math

Real WorldProblems

Technology, Design,ScienceMix-Up

Computer

1. 1940s: Technoscience

"An algorithm must always terminate after a finite number of steps ... a very finite number, a reasonable number

“Each step of an algorithm must be precisely defined; the actions to be carried out must be rigorously and unambiguously specified for each case”

"... all of the operations to be performed in the algorithm must be sufficiently basic that they can in principle be done exactly and in a finite length of time by a man using paper and pencil"

"...quantities which are given to it initially before the algorithm begins. These inputs are taken from specified sets of objects"

"...quantities which have a specified relation to the inputs”

2. Complexity and Practice: Donald Knuth

3. 1960s: Three “Cultures” of Computer Science

Computer Science “Cultures”

Math(Algorithms)

Electronics(Hardware)

Software\Systems(OS, Compilers, Languages)

4. “Implicators”: Software\System Engineers

Software Industry combines pieces of Computer Science (of all three cultures) into one working application due to customer requirements

5. 1980-s. Type of Convergence: The Stack

CPUHardware Memory

TransistorsPhysics Condensers Magnetic Domains

Operating System

Application Framework

Windows Linux Mac OS X

Java .Net

A layer is called a platform to one on top of it. A layer can be considered as application to one on the bottom of it

Application MS Word

Lessons Learned

• It took 40+ years for CS/IT to cope with the challenge

• Started as Mode 2, it has split to Mode 1 disciplines

• But the whole science-tech-industry is Mode 2…it solves unique problems of enterprises

Challenges ahead

• For IT, with the growth of Internet and consumerization innovation challenges lies ahead again• Contemporary innovation pace seems to high to reuse the CS-like

model• Participators of innovation are diverse• Techs of different origins are to converge• Stakes are higher e.g. human bodies are not bytes and bits• Redistribution of benefits, risks, responsibilities

Wrap-up and conclusions

• Mode 2 of Innovation arms its implicators with means to reduce the Complexity and cope with the Uncertainty • Mode 2 of Innovation states a technological framework to let various parts

to converge• Mode 2 of Innovation states a social framework to distribute labor and

responsibilities • Mode 2 of Technology and Innovation

• is not of means and ends• it’s not of beings of technology [Latour13]• it’s not about certain tasks• It’s about implicators and convergence

Thanks!

Questions?

Vladimir Fedorovfeoff3@gmail.com+79055498208