Newsletter of the American Society for Cybernetics I Roger Conant. Editor ~ 1108 SEO. UICC Box 4348 11" Chicago.IL 60680 312+996-2308

Number 10, June 5, 1981 ------The address of the ASC is: 2131 G St. N.W., Washington DC 20052. ------

THE NEW C~BERNETICS

ASC Annual Meeting Finally, we hope to keep the registration Marvin Center, George Washington University fee as low as possible. However, due to October 30 - November 3, 1981 the difficulty in planning space require­ Program Chairperson - Larry Richards ments at the Marvin Center we urge you to register as soon as possible and will pro­ vide a discount for those who submit their The program for the first annual meeting registration materials at least one month of the ASC in a number of years is now in advance of the meeting. If you have being finalized. You should receive a any suggestions for enhancing the quality program announcement and registration form of our society's first major conference, semetime in July. Due to unanticipated, or if you have any questions, please feel but extremely encouraging, interest in free to contact me. participating in the conference, we may extend its length to four days as opposed Dr. Laurence D. Richards to the original plan of thr ~ e days. Department of Administrative Science Colby College The program is shaping up to be indeed Waterville,Maine 04901 very exciting, with such well known per­ phone: 207/873-1131x587 sonalitis as Heinz von Foerster, Ernst von Glasersfeld, Lars LÖfgren, Russell Ackoff, Lillian Schwartz, Paul Rubinyi, Gerrit Broekstra, Klaus Krippendorff, Robert Lilienfeld, Herbert BrÜn, and Roberto Canete already agreeing to participate in various ways. In addition to American contributors, numerous British, French, ------Dutch, German, Swedish, Israeli, Soviet, CYBERNETICS RESEARCH INSTITUTE and Indian cyberneticians will be partici­ pating as well. There are still others, ------e.g. Humberto Maturana, Francisco Varela, Haig Kafafian (LLewellyn Park, W. Orange, Peter and Trudy Johnson-Lenz, who have NJ 07052) is reactivating his Cybernetics indicated an interest in participating but Research Institue, formerly located in will be unable to do so unless funds are Washington, DC. The new chairman of the made available for their travel. If you or board is Julian Bigelow (Institute for your organization can fit these people Advanced Study, Princeton, NJ 08540) and into your schedule as guest lecturers, it the president is Jack Ford (11501 Stone­ would provide them with the means to at­ wood Lane, Rockville, MD 20852). They tend our conference. I sincerely believe plan to develop contacts with universities that the objective of the conference, to for the purpese of establishing programs redefine the field of cybernetics and pro­ in cybernetics. vide a broadened focus for cybernetic research, will be met implicitly if not explicitly. -2 ...

CYBERNETICS: THE ART OF THE STATE Foerster's observing systems are observed as observing, rather than being simply from Ranulph Glanville observing, and as such they are represent­ ed. Thus his concern for eigen systerns (We should realise that cybernetics now is which stabilise out the observed from the not the cybernetics of the founding fa­ observing. thers . While the spirit is the sarne, the techniques, insights, and understandings The resolution of this embarassing arnpi­ are not. Too often, nowadays, cybernetics guity lies in what must now be considered is discussed in its early form, regardless a fourth order. In order not to extend of developrnents. Too often, critics bring this regress of orders (to fall into the up questions spotted and solved years ago physicist's quark catch) this fourth order by cyberneticians thernselves.) must refer back to an "earlier" order. In order to retain its generality it must When Ross Ashby talked about a cybernetic consist of observing systerns. The fourth systern he (always) rnade three assertions. order must collapse into the secend order These were that the systern and its corn­ (which presurnably collapses into the ponents could attain a nurober of states, noughth order - that is the order of the and that the system and its cornponents undescribably undescribed). could be thought of as black boxes, and the systern, components and states were Such an order is of observing systerns connected by a nurober of (feedback) corn­ observing observing systems observing in rnunication loops. which the mutual observing, the doing, is the description. Such a description can­ With this armoury he developed sophisti­ not be conventionally represented or cated understandings of the working of the shared, but that is no insuperable prob­ world we perceive areund us. lern. Its solution exists in principle in Pask's Conversation Theory, when applied But it is perhaps strange that he never and examined rather more rigorously than turned the arrnoury in on itself, to exarn­ he has. For instance, the episternology ine what the concepts did when applied to involved has been exarnined by myself and thernselves. Pedretti; the logic by Varela and myself; the medium of representation by Pedretti Later, von Foerster spotted this, although and myself, and Pedretti separately. In using different initial notions. He dif­ the end they must add up to nothing. ferentiated between observed systerns and his secend order cybernetics of observing Taking such a position involves a major systerns. He was not alone in this in­ change in point-of-view from the classi­ sight, which e.g. Pask and Maturana shared cal. The primitive dichotomy becomes no simultaneously. langer the subjectivejobjective (in which­ ever guise) of science, but the self­ Such observing systems can be shown to referential self/other of art. Science is result from the applications of Ashby's seen as an art, and cybernetics as the art three assertions to themselves, self­ of the state. Cyberneticians who tend to referentially, as I have done. Then ob­ technologise, especially those where cy­ serving systerns and self-reference becorne bernetics is still seen as an econornic (revolutionarily) the norm. Inherent in elixir, should enjoy the pun: cybernetics Ashby's characterization is the irnplica­ is NOT the science of the State. tion of their self-application and the consequent shift from observed to observ­ ing systems. (The English hurnourist, Spike Milligan, wrote once about things that disappeared But the characterisation von Foerster in the Berrnuda Triangle. In the end, the gives to his observing systerns belies not Bermuda Triangle also sirnilarly disap­ only a positional paradox, but the use, peared . Then there was nothing but the already, of a third order. For von annihilation of self-reference, the col­ lapse of the fourth to the secend to the naughth order). - SECOND ANNUAL MAINE CYBERNETICS FESTIVAL July 17-20, 1981

Last summer a group of ASC members assembled at the farm of Roger and Shirley Conant on Deer Isle, Maine, for a weekend of sailing, swimming, good food and easy conversation. Along the way several key decisions were made about the Society's future and finances. The event was so much fun, we have decided to do it again. This year the conversation will likely be concerned less with business and more with the key concepts in the field. We shall plan revisions of the glossary and discuss the content of the weekend seminars to be held areund the country to teach the basics of cybernetics. We may also decide the location of the 1982 conference and review the various journals in the field. Please come and share the good times!

Location: The Conant's farm is about 60 miles south of Banger, Maine. Drive to the island of Deer Isle. In the town of Deer Isle make a right turn toward the town of Sunset. Go beyend Sunset one mile. At the top of a fairly steep hill turn left. The first drive on the right is the Conant farm • . You will see a barn and then the farm house.

If you plan to fly, call Barry Clemson (h: 207/866-7702, o: 207/581-2792). He will suggest what flights to take so someone can meet you at the airport. Most people will probably plan to arrive at the airport in Bangor or Portland early in the afternoon on Friday and will leave early in the afternoon on Monday. To get the supersaver fare, make your reservations and buy your tickets at least 14 days in advance.

Arrangements: The house is small, but the barn has room for quite a few people, and there is plenty of space for tents. Bring a sleeping bag, air mattress and a tent if you like. All participants will be asked to share the cost of the food. Last year the cost was about $10 per person. Everyone helps with food pre­ paration and clean up. So the Conants will know how much food to buy, please let them know a week in advance tbat you are coming (Roger Conant, Sunset, Maine 04683, 20 7I 348-2504).

Plan your vacation areund the festival. Spouses, children and companions are welcome! .. , . -4-

COMMUNITY CYBERNETIC CENTERS services to all groups and professions. The center would facilitate interaction between the members of the connnunity and by Stuart Umpleby and Scott Riggs specialists in such areas as health, crime and delinquency, business practices, During recent years, a number of very water resources, and urban design. The different organizations have become worldwide network of centers would ex­ interested in facilitating the delivery change information on successful projects of information and skills to local and methods. communities for purposes of development. Same of these organizations have been Community cybernetic centers were among primarily interested in technology the ideas discussed at the Washington -- appropriate technology, communica­ meeting on "Information for Connnunities" tion technology, or the social impact reported on below. A session on commu­ of new technology. Same organizations nity cybernetic centers is proposed for have focused on education and institu­ the October ASC Conference, perhaps to tion building at the local level. Re­ be a joint session with the American So­ cently, scientific and engineering ciety for Information Science. societies have become interested in what they can contribute to development. These organizations are now beginning ------to communicate with each other in order MEETING: COMMUNITY INFORMATION to share experiences, expand networks, and design methods of cooperation. One possible method of facilitating infor­ by Scott Riggs mation delivery to communities is de­ velopment of community cybernetic Over a dozen people from a variety centers. of groups and disciplines met April 16, 198~ at the George Washington A community cybernetic center can be University to generate ideas about thought of as a node in a global net­ how professional scientific soci­ work. It provides education, a means eties (particularly ASC) can aid in for accessing information, and an inter­ providing communities information face between the people who have the they need for solving their problems. skills and the people who want them. The meeting was organized by three Depending on the needs of a particular of Stuart Umpleby's graduate stud­ community, the services provided by ents in General Management Systems the center could range from training and Organizational Cybernetics -­ in new methods and technology to basic Chariklia Spiegel, Irving Colonel, education and job preparation. Each and me. Other participants were center would engage in outreach acti­ Robert Crosby (IEEE Systems, Man vities to ensure that the parts of the and Cybernetics Society), Wayne A. community most in need of skills and Reeves (Church of Jesus Christ of information are not forgotten. Where­ Latter-Day Saints), Chris Hennin as agricultural extension Services (World Bank), Howard Hupe (NTIA), focus on helping farmers, the commu­ Pat Carlin (AAAS), Chandler Stevens nity cybernetic center would offer (Participation Systems,Inc), George Rheinhart (Knowledge Exchange,IncJ, Dana Reynolds (International Center for Dynamics of Development), Wil­ liam C Moore (World Future Society and ASC), and Stuart Umpleby.

(continued on page 5) ~- - (continued from page 4) On the agenda were three topics: What information do communities CYBERNETICS: DEFINITIONS need to deal with their · problems? What strategies are possible for part of a letter from Jean Bourget meeting community information needs? What are the possible roles ... The communication: "The Modern Origin 1 1 of professional societies in exe­ of the Term Cybernetics " [from Namur] cuting such strategies? Using is I feel, a very important one. The ) I I methods adapted from those used by authors propese that Cybernetics (prop- 1 1 the Institute of Cultural Affairs erly derived from Kybernetikos ) be re­ 1 1 for community development meetings, fined in English as statesmanship , i.e. brainstorming sessions and plenary as Ampere 1 s definition for 'politique 1 discussions were held on the first proprement dit : two topics. The available time ran out after only a few minutes of "The very ·art of governing and of discussion of the roles of soci­ choosing in every case both which can eties in execution. be and which cannot be done."

. .. In my work as a translator, I have Twenty-four problems and infor­ been able to identify sorne differentiating mation needs were identified and characteristics between English and grouped into categories of per­ French. It is for this reason that I feel ceptual, procedural, and infra­ 1 that Ampere s definition should be corn­ structure problems. A similar pleted. Indeed I have come to the conclu­ number of strategic ideas were sion that the French language seems to put grouped into seven strategies: emphasis on results whereas the English effective communication to non­ language seems to put ernphasis on rneans professionals; community exchange; for arr~v~ng at results. The reasoning voluntary support; organizational behind the French attitude is that what is linkage; commercialized support; important is results whereas the reasoning resource inventories; and increased behind the English attitude is that knowledge and techniques. Specific results rnay be important but it is of no roles and possible participants value to know the results if the means of were discussed only for the first achieving thern are unknown. I would strategic grouping. A 13-page therefore propese that in order to have a report of the meeting is available cornplete definition, it would be necessary through the ASC (please send stamp­ to incorporate in it elements that satisfy ed, addressed envelope). both the English and the French attitudes.

I will be working to complete the A complete definition would therefore, unfinished business of the third (and this is just a first attempt at it) topic, to provide some ideas an the be somewhat like this: possibilities for ASC-facilitated participation by scientific and "The very art of governing and of professional societies in carrying choosing in eve=y case both which can out the strategies for meeting be and rnus t be done" .... community information needs. A report of this effort will be avail­ exercised through communication and con­ able before the October ASC Confer­ trol or through control by inforrnation ence as an input to discussion in rnechanisrns ... the context of a Community Cyber­ netic Center session. Any ideas or other assistance would be appre­ ciated. Contact me at 3910 Rive Drive, Alexandria, VA 22309. -6-::

practically zero. Therefore I propese CYBERNETIC GONPUTER CONFERENCE? that if there is sufficient interest on the part of potential users, ASC set up a by Roger Conant CBBS for the use of its members, on which discussions on all sorts of topics can After recently acqu~r~ng a personal com­ proceed. puter I have lately been dieavering the resources available to computer folks. To buy a computer with the necessary abil­ One of the most interesting is the ex­ ities and storage, tagether with an au­ istence of a vast diffuse network of in­ tomatic telephone-answering gadget and the formation exchange among owners of home " so f tware " ( program) to run the system , computers (or small business computers). would come to less than $2500. (A recent There are literally scores and perhaps article claimed $2000, and the $500 is for hundreds of "computer bulletin board sys­ unknowables and inflation.) The phone tems (CBBS)" all over the country for required is an answer-only service which example, there are 16 in the Chicago area in Chicago costs only $3 per month. The alone. To access one of these networks people who call in have to pay their own requires only a terminal, not really a phone bills, of course, but the use of the computer; typically you dial up the net­ system is then free. Passwords could be work, plug your phone into the terminal, established to restriet the use of the and the system ·introduces itself to you, system only to Bona Fide Cyberneticians, asks your name and so forth, gives you the or only those who had paid their ASC dues, information necessary to use the system, or whatever is necessary, but since the and then asks you which of many options system is so inherently inexpensive to you would like to pursue, such as reading operate it might be better to leave it recent notices, scanning the advertise­ open to the public as a sort of public ments, leaving messages for other users, Service. In fact it might be a good dev­ leaving a comment for the operators of the ice for recruiting members if the level of system, "down 1 oad" ~ng " cop~es. o f f ree com- contributions to the system dialeg was puter programs which others have deposited sufficiently high and interesting. The on the system, and so forth. These sys­ system could also be used to post notices tems are fun, and they are also free. of even~s, etc.

It occurred to me that these systems have At first it might be best to establish it some of the most important features of the in an area in which we have a large con­ EIES system (Electronic Information centration of members, simply because the Exchange System) at the New Jersey Insti­ lower the phone toll for the caller the tute of Technology, a computer conferenc­ more likely s/he is to use it. ing system to which some of us were once attached and where we carried out, over To get gcing would require raising the the course of about 2 years, a rambling $2000-$2500 capital; thereafter the $50 or discussion of general systems theory and so yearly operating expense could be borne cybernetics. The CBBS's include only a easily by the Society. But, of course; subset of the many features of EIES but there is no point in setting up such a they are the most important ones the CBBS unless people would use it. The only ability to leave messages for, and/or to way to find out if there is enough in­ receive messages from, either individuals terest to justify proceeding is to ask who use · the system or the user group at you, out there, if you would use it if it large. One of the reasons that the in­ were in existence. Would you? If so, volvement of many of us ir. EIES came to a write me (for the summer, at Sunset, ME halt was its rather high cost. However, 04683). Non-response from the ASC reader­ the cost of setting up a CBBS is very low ship will be interpreted as apathy for the and the cost of operating it is project, so there must be significant response in order to motivate further plans. SOLUTION TO PUZZLE VON NEUMANN AND WIENER a book review

Remernher the puzzle posed in the last by Felix Kopstein issue? I'll bet a lot of folks tried it without success because there was only one It is difficult to imagine an ASC member completely successful solution sent in. who could remain indifferent while reading It is from Fred Steier, whose solution is Steve J. Heims' John von Neumann and hereby quoted verbatim: Norbert Wiener (Cambridge:-MA, MIT Press, 1980, $19.95). This book is only inciden­ "The puzzle solution is that the children tally a double biography of these two are aged 9,2, and 2; the key being iri (the important figures in the history of cyber­ necessity of) the third statement. Assum­ netics. Rather it is an historical exami­ ing that the person being spoken to (per­ nation of these men's ideas, their con­ son II) is not age zero (and not even trasts, and the difference in their cyberneticians are that precocious), for responses to the choice of values con­ every possible product of the three ages, fronting modern science. On balance, except 36, there is a unique set of ages Heims has succeeded reasonably in provid­ whose sum is 13. Thus, if person II's age ing a generally comprehensible (though is anything other than 36, he would stop simplified) synopsis of von Neumann's and person I after the second clue. His al­ Wiener's mathematical creations and in lowing person I to go on to clue #3 means elucidating their wider implications. that he still needs more information - and Then he examines the men behind these that he must be 36, leaving 9,2,2 and ideas, and the joint relation of men and 6,6,1 as possibilities. As soon as person ideas to the role of science in contem­ II hears that there is an oldest son, porary society. These problems continue regardless of the weight, he knows the to be acute and to confront each and every ages are 9,2, and 2." one of us constantly.

Right, Fred! Chronology, psychological speculation, anecdotes, and gossip are kept to a m1n1mum. The focus is on the record of von Neumann's and Wiener's intellectual QUOTES OF THE MONTH lives. Heims (an ex-physicist) is well equipped to penetrate to the core of the issues. He presents them lucidly and, at "Jupiter's moons are invisible to the the same time, passionately. This is a naked eye and therefore can hav~ no influ­ profound book written by a wise as well as ence on the earth, and therefore would be intelligent writer. It generates an in­ useless, and therefore do not exist." tellectual excitement few readers will be able to escape. Pronouncement of a group of Aristo­ telian contemporaries of Galileo after his discovery of four Jovian moons.

"The energy produced by the breaking down of the atom. is a very poor kind of thing. SELF-ORGANIZATION Anyone who expects a source of power from the transformation of these atoms is talk­ ing moonshine." Ludwig Boltzmann said that order was improbable. Norbert Wiener said in enclaves it is possible. Ernest Rutherford, 1933 But the tables were turned, When Ross Ashby learned, "If the human brain were so simple that we Organization by selection is unavoidable. could understand it, we would be so simple SAU that: we couldn't."

Lyall Watson . . -8-

SUMMER PARTIES IN WASHINGTON HOME ROBOTS

by Stuart Umpleby . by Stuart Umpleby

There will be three "barbecue and busi­ Recently at an ASC party I mentioned ness" parties at my house in Washington to Chas Rumore that I would like to DC this summer. Each will be held on have a simple robot at home to amuse Sunday evening from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. visiting children and adults, for at 3811 Calvert Street NW (202/338-8453). exampl~a light-seekingturtle that The dates are June 14, July 12, and would bump into and go around objects. August 9. Washington area members will I expressed surprise that I had not get a more detailed invitation. This yet seen such a device in toy stores. notice is to let all ASC members know (Chas is a graduate of the Biological about the parties so that they can at­ Computer Labaratory at the University tend if they plan to be in the \vashing­ of Illinois. He is now a consultant ton area at any of these times. in Washington, D~ and his business card lists his profession as "cyber­ It was during meetings like this last netician".) A few days after the summer that much of the work of reac­ party Chas sent me some clippings tivating the Society was done. They are describing where one could get robot always great fun. The agenda for the kits. "Robot parts, kits, plans, June meeting will include local arrange­ books, gears, motors, metal stock, ments for the October ASC conference, plastics. Everything you need for planning the activities of the Washing­ hobby robotics. Send $3 for year's tau chapter for the coming academic year, subscription to catalog and Hobby and designing a weekend seminar which Robotics Newsletter. Robot Mart, will be used both to teach cybernetics 19 West 34th Street, New York, NY and to raise money. 10001. ,, II Robotic motors, gears, hardware, and electronics catalogue $3; newsletter $8 per year. Moudy Electronics RD2 Box 427, Hollydaysburg, PA 16648. '' "The Terrapin Turtle, a robot requiring CYBERNETICS AT GWU computer control. Terrapin, Inc., 678 Massachusetts Ave. #20; Cambridge, MA 02139. II by Stuart Umpleby

George Washington University in Washing­ tonJDC,offers graduate programs in cy­ bernetics and systems theory through the LEGITIMATE QUESTIONS School of Government and Business Admin­ istration. Students can receive the foL10wing degrees: Master of Business Said Heinz, "there are two kinds of questions. Administration (MBA), Master of Public To some there are answers in lessons. Admirdstration (MPA), Doctor of Business But the questions that count, Admi~istration (DBA), or Doctor of Pub­ the ones to surmount, lic Administration (DPA) with a major in Are the questions that not yet are questioned." General Management Systems and Organiza­ s tional Cybernetics (GEMSOC). For appli­ cation materials, write to the Regis­ trar's Office, School of Government and Business Administration, GWU, Washington DC 20052. The deadline for applications for the spring semester is November 1. The deadline for applications for the fall semester is May 1.