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

Nurober 14, February 10, 1982

The address of the ASC is: 2131 G St. N.w., Washington DC 20052.

CYBERNETICS POSTERS 1983 ASC MEETING IN SAN JOSE

from Bill Reckmeyer Three posters on cybernetics designed by Klaus Krippendorff are available from the Bill has taken on the responsibility for American Society for Cybernetics. Each start-up of this annual conference and poster is an original silk screen print on invites suggestions and communication from sturdy 23" by 30" white stock. Each post­ all. You can write to him at: William J. er contains a design and a quotation. The Reckmeyer, Graduate Coordinator, Cybernet­ posters are quite attractive when arranged ic Systems Program, San Jose State Univer­ side by side on one wall. siy, San Jose, CA 95192 . Phones: 408/277-3409 office, 408/266-7946 home. (1) "Self-reference is the infinite in finite guise." Francisco Varela. Blue and gold design of a stylized face.

(2) "The logic of the world is the logic NEWSLETTER EDITORSHIP ANYONE? of descriptions (of the world). Percep­ tion is the computation of descriptions from Roger Conant (of the world). Cognition is the C:ompu~~i~~ of l ". Heinz Von Foerster. After having put out the newsletter for Large red figure of Francisco Varela's about a year and a half I find myself in symbol for self-reference. trouble with an overly busy schedule which has made me neglect the job in favor of (3) "Communication is the interactive com­ more pressing matters. This is not right, putation of a reality." Klaus Krippen­ and if anyone out there would like to take dorff. Green and yellow design of two this newsletter over I would be glad to Medieval ouroboroi. hand it over. For an editor to stay too long in such a position is not good either Posters are $12 each or $30 for a set of for the editor or for the newsletter. How three. Include $2.50 for postage and han­ , about some of you folks out there with dling. Send orders to the ASC. fresh hot blood taking it on and giving it a little pizazz? 2

MORE LIMERICKS THE ASHBY BOOK

by Stuart Umpleby from Roger Conant

Double Bind The long-awaited book collecting many papers of W. Ross Ashby has really come Greg Bateson one day made a find. into print. It is a 395-page paperbound Dual signals produce their own kind. book, 9"x12", containing 32 papers re­ "Get out, you're so cruel! printed from the literature, a collection I love you, you foo I." of handouts he used in his classes at the Would this cause a split in your mind? University of I llinois, his list of "un­ solved problems in Cybernetics and sub­ jects for exploration," and a complete Interspecies Communication bibliography. Also included is an over­ view of his werk, by George Klir. The Said Lilly to a female colleague, cost of this book has been kept very low "We can see far better than he." (3.3 cents per page) so as to make the But from the tank there came clicks, work of this great cybernetician readily "So what, you dry hicks, available to students and others who might For I hear far better than thee." be intimidated by the current cost of books. This book, Mechanisms of Intelligence, is available for $13 from On Substance in Symbols Intersystems Publications, PO Box 624, Seaside CA 93955. Include $1.50 p+h cost An American scholar named Krippendorff for the first book and 75 cents for each Became worried at what he had bitten off. additional book ordered. He showed how to handle this Content analysis Then he said, "Most of what's said can be written off." WOSGC

At the October meeting a decision was made to join the World Organisation of General Systems and Cybernetics. The Director­ General of this organization, J. Rose, has written to express his delight with that COMMENT FROM A READER decision. The journal Kybernetes is the official journal of the WOSGC and Prof. from Ali Irtem Rose would be glad to receive suitable papers from ASC members for consideration [Ali Irtem of Istanbul comments on his by that journal. He mentions with respect appreciation of Heinz Von Foerster and to the proposed International Cybernetic then comments that] ... your valuable at­ Centre for Developing countries to be tempts to create a New Cybernetics seems located in Mexico, that a WOSGC delegation to me not sufficient. As cyberneticians will probably meet representatives of the we have to try to simulate the higher Mexican government in Cancun in March capabilities of the human mind and soul, 1982 to discuss the inauguration of the like hypnotism and clairvoyance as weil as Centre. Stafford Beer, he states, has the other metapsychological events, in agreed to become the President of the cybernetic machines, as [Ali] has tried to WOSGC and will probably join the delega­ initiate in his recent investigations. tion going to Cancun. 3

TELEGOMMUNICATIONS FOR THE DEAF QUOTES FROH KENNETH BOULDING

Knowledge grows by accretion, but we gain Stuart has sent a report prepared by some truth by pruning the tree of knowledge. of his students on the topic of telecom­ munications for the deaf. The report There is a race between knowledge and actually contains information beyend that disaster, but in this race the langer about telecommunications; one part is a disaster is staved off, the better chance study of the organizational evolution of we have of acquiring the knowledge to the student group itself (a study in prevent it altogether. self-organization, with .attention to the communication process) and a secend part Love is not enough... Love without is the report produced by the group - a knowledge will destroy us. resource book with a wealth of information about the history of telecommunications The evolutionary process speeds up under for the deaf, the hardware involved, or­ adversity. ganizations involved in problems of deaf people, and services available for them. It is much easier to think something up It would be of great interest to anyone than to look it up. involved with deaf people. Perhaps, Stuart writes, the report might be repro­ The social system you save may be your duced by the ASC. If you are interested own. in the report let Stuart know. It is very interesting reading.

Incidentally a recent NOVA program showed modern attempts to put high technology to work in the service of those with gross motor disabilities preventing normal speech. Such persans often have only very poor output channels with which to commun­ icate outward and are reduced to typing HANY-TO-MANY COHMUNICATION with their toes and so forth. If ever there was a dramatic and poignant demons­ tration of the importance of channel capa­ Chandler H. Stevens has sent an announee­ city, that showwas it. We can hope that rneut of the availability of two papers on computer technology and electronic wizar­ this subject; one is a background working dry will be put to use to aid these peo­ paper and the other a research consortium ple. prospectus. If you are interested in this topic contact him at the Center for Infor­ Does anyone out there know of any other mation Systems Research; Alfred P. Sloan attempts to put cybernetics to use in the School of Management; HIT; Garnbridge MA service of humankind? 02139. s.. a... u ~

'-!1,

subject to be treated, and invites and 10th INT. CONGRESS ON CYBERNETICS conducts the discussion on the ideas developed."

We have received a notice about this The working languages of the conference congress, tobe held at Namur, BelgiumJon will be English, French, and in the sympo­ 23 - 28 August 1983 and soliciting modera­ sia on social systems, also Esperanto. tors for symposia. Excerpts from the The letter then requests those interested letter follow: in being moderators to select a topic of interest, secure the services of a few "[The Association International de Cyber­ leading speakers, and organize the sympo­ netique] feels that the time has come to sium, which would be allotted half a day. call for a renewed drive and to encourage If you are interested, write to J. among cyberneticians - a fruitful ex­ Lemaire, Managing Director, Association change of ideas in the various fields Internationale de Cybernetique, Palais des covered by cybernetics. Expositions, Place A. Rijckmans, B-5000 Namur, BelgiumJ by April 15 giving a sum­ "It is evident that the latter is ex­ mary, preferred days, and names and ad­ periencing difficulties in establishing dresses of the speakers for the symposium. itself among the Seiences - difficulties due in the main to imprecise concepts and ideas, and dispersed action. This being so, Cybernetics runs the risk of losing its dynamism by involving itself in futile . BOOK PROPOSALS controversies - far removed from the ob­ jective set by its promoters. from Bill Reckmeyer "It is thus necessary to break new ground, Bill writes to say that he is interested and to adopt methods that are likely to in putting tagether two books and welcomes contribute to greater efficiency, by en­ comments or help from anyone. One will be couraging initiative and stimulating a "an annotated bibliography of key works in more widespread interest, and by affering the field of systems and cybernetics - a more adequate and up to date forms of sourcebook or handback if you will; the meetings and discussions. other will be a book of reading for an introductoryjadvanced systems overview." "The Association considers that these problems could be solved at the coming Congress by adopting the following methods:

Defining the scope and limiting the sub­ jects to be treated, in a precise manner, whilst including such matters NATO CONFERENCE ON MODELLING among the major themes (Principles of Cybernetics and General Theory of Sys­ tems, Cybernetics in the Engineering Tuncer Oren is chairing a NATO-sponsored Sciences, Cybernetics in Social Systems, conference on modelling in Ottawa in late Cybernetics in Biology and Medicine) - July and early August. There may be money on which preceeding Gongresses have been available to cover registration and/or based, and adopting the Symposium method travel. For more information contact - whereby a moderater, assisted by a Tuncer at the Department of Computer Sci­ small number of leading speakers, ence, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, develops the various aspects of the Ontario, KIN 9B4, Canada. ~.w.u. ASC Project of each officer to bring new people into the management realm. As students in Stu Umpleby's Management 260 class at George Washington University, 4) A very good transfer of information four of us chose as our class project to process should be established from old observe, assist and report on the decision officers to new. Otherwise the same pro­ making processes of the ASC. We developed blems will be wrestled with and perhaps for the ASC Conference in October an new people will hesitate to run for offi­ Agenda Book which detailed dectsions that cer positions because this seems to be an needed t o be made, ba ckg round , a 1tern a­ overwhelming task. If the task sheet from tives and other pertinent information. the Agenda Book is properly used, the infor­ The Agenda Book was affered as a tool to mation continuity concern will be partially assist in the decision making process and resolved. In addition, the officers should also incorporated the team's ideas with document the procedures they follow. This regard to the need for the ASC to begin information would be incorporated into the to make its business decisions in the con­ Society procedures manual. Subsequent offi­ text of the whole Society and its overall cers would of course update this material goals and to make them in a way that would and a complete operations history would be promote the growth and development of the available for new generations of officers. Society itself. With the experience of 5) All of the officers seem to be over­ this project behind us, we have several whelmed by the lack of support available to recommendations for the ASC which we the organization. It is too much to ask thought we would present for your consi­ that the same people who serve in the deci­ deration: sion making capacity be responsible for all 1) The Agenda Book process should be used the background and administrative work. as a framework to identify problems, make More widespread participation from other decisions and track their implementation members seems necessary to alleviate the on a year to year basis. The benefits of burden of running the society by the few using this framework include the advance who have currently accepted that role. planning of the business meetings, a tool Following the ASC Process Flow System and fo r di rect i ng di scuss i on and a rri vi ng at the Agenda Book would help to distribute decisions, tracking of progress of the the workload. Perhaps in the future the agreed-on ASC projects, and followup re­ Society will be able to arrange for some cording of ASC business. outside assistance once the finances of the organization have been reordered. 2) The ASC Process Flow System which is described in the Agenda Book and in our 6) Most importantly we feel that the ASC report should be used as a guide. This must learn to see itself not as a group of Process Flow System basically recognizes individuals but as a whole, interrelated that each function of the ASC (membership, system moving towards established common conferences, finances, publicity, etc.) goals. The ASC will at this point view stimulates growth and development in each itself cybernetically. other function and in the Society as a Lauren Cook whole. As the ASC grows and develops it, Janice Oorsey in turn, stimulates growth and develop­ Pam Stephens ment in the field of cybernetics and by Pam White extension in society itself. If the ASC conducted itself according to the guide­ lines outlined in the Flow System, many of the Society's problems both short-term and long-term would be resolved. The ASC would be better organized, have greater cohes i veness an d sense of purpose, a more directed leadership, increased levels of accomplishment and more effective inter­ action with its environment. 3) The organization leadership seems to be in danger of becoming too ingrown. There should be a committment on the part 6

------synergetic societies; educational systems MEETINGS AND OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS and pedagogical innovations; environmental ------pedagogy and constructive geography; role and responsibilities of sciences and tech­ (1) We have received a detailed announee­ nology in topographical development; cy­ rneut of the Cybernetic Systems Program at bernetics and business information manage­ San Jose State University. It is rather ment; biocybernetics and tropical biomedi­ too long for inclusion here but you can cine; systems analysis and economic model­ get a copy by writing Bill Reckmeyer ling; data base design and communication (address elsewhere in this issue.) network systems; software physics and optimal control processes; remote sensing (2) Symposium on Empirical Foundations of and industrial production management. Information and Software Science. This Abstract deadline April 30, 1983. will occur at Georgia Tech, November 3-5, Inquiries to Dr. Eng. E. Fotso Kings, 40 1982. Topic: "Research methodology for Rue Montagne Ste Genevieve 75005, Paris. information and software science and in­ You may also write to me (Roger Genant formation science and software laws, with see p.1) to obtain a more detailed pros­ special emphasis on information science pectus for this meeting. application to software evaluation and software metrics." Inquiries to: Prof. (6) Positions available: George Washington Pranas Zunde, Chm., Symposium Organizing U. School of Government and Business Committee, School of Information and Com­ Administration; Asst. and Assoc. Profes­ puter Science, Georgia Institute of Tech­ sors in information systems technology and nology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA. information systems management. Apply to Dr. John Carson; Information Systems Pro­ (3) Infrastructure of an Information So­ gram Director; Dept. of Management Sci­ ciety: the First International Information ence; George Washington University; Wash­ Conference in Egypt, December 13-15, 1982. ington DC 20052. Major themes: The Information Society; National Information Policy and Systems; (7) Bock: Cybernetics: ~ Sourcebook. by and Sectoral Information Needs and Priori­ Robert Trappl. "This landmark volume pro­ ties. Topic and brief abstract deadline is vides a state-of-the-art presentation of March 31. Inquiries: Dr. Bahaa El-Hadidy; cybernetics, including chapters by inter­ ESIT/ASIS Conference Co-chairman; Graduate nationally known experts. Providing a School of Library and Information Science; heretofore unavailable overview, this book The Catholic University of America; Wash­ is a useful text as well as a valuable ington DC 20064. Phones: 202/635-5702 or reference tool for professionals. 202/635-5085. Thorough coverage of important areas such as biology, medicine, health care, en­ (4) North American Fuzzy Information Pro­ gineering, and linguistics make this an cessing Group workshop, May 19-21, 1982, indispensible source for those studying or Utah State University, Logan, Utah. Tc­ working in the field of cybernetics. An pies: Inplementation and Applications; excellent resource for scientists, en­ Theoretical Research; Surveys and Tutori­ gineers, and advanced students . "- quoted als. Invited speakers: L. Zadeh and K.S. from ad. 1982, 600 pages (tent), $80 Fu. Abstract deadline is March 15. (tent) (!!) Inquiries: James Bezdek; Math Dept.; Utah State Univ.; Logan Utah 84322.

(5) II International Conference on Cyber­ netics Development Strategies, August 20-25, 1983, Bafaoussam, Cameroon. Tc­ pies: cultural identity and development of "Autopoiesis and Self-Organization" William J. Reckmeyer

Selected Bibliography 1. Andrew, Alex. "Autopoiesis and Self-Organization. 11 Journal of Cybernetics 9 {1979): 359-367--. 2. Ashby, W. Ross. "Principles of the Self-Organizing Dynamic System ... Journal of General Psychology 37 (1947): 125-128. *3. "Principles of the Self-Orqanizing System." In Principles of ~elf-Organization, pp. 255-278. Edited by Heinz von Foerster and George W. Zopf. New York: Pergamon, 1962. *4. Beer, Stafford. Brain of the Firm. New York: John Wiley, 1981. *5. . The Heart of!EnterprTSe. New York: John Wiley, 1979. *6. _. "Preface." In Autopoiesis and Cognition: The Realization of the Living, pp. 63-72. Humberto R. Maturana and Francisco J. Varela. Boston: Reidel, 1980. 7. Ben-El i, Michael U. "Ampl ifying Regulation and Variety Increase in Evolving Systems." Journal of Cybernetics 9 {1979): 285-296. 8. _. "Self-Organization, Autopoiesis, and Evolution." In Autopoiesis: ~ Theory of the Living Organization, pp. 169-182. Edited by Milan Zeleny. New York: North Holland, 1981. 9. Bogdanov, Alexander A. Essays~ Tektology. Seas..ide: Intersystems, 1980. 10. Boulding, Kenneth E. Ecodynamics: ~ New Theory of Societal Evolution. Beverly Hills: Sage, 1978. 11. Buckley, Walter. "Society as a Camplex Adaptive System. 11 In Modern Systems Research for the Behavioral Scientist, pp. 490-513. Edited by Walter Buckley. Chicago: Aldine, 1968. 12. Oe Chardin, Pierre Teilhard. The Phenomenon of Man. New York: Harper & Row, 1975. - - -- *13. Von Foerster, Heinz. "On Self-Organizing Systemsand Their Environments ... In Self-Organizing Systems, pp. 31-50. Edited by Marshall Yovits and Scott Cameron. New York: Pergamon, 1960. 14. ----,-,..-- and Zopf, George W., eds. Principles of Self-Organization. New York: Pergamon, 1962. **15. Gaines, Brian R. "Autopoiesis: Same Questions. 11 In Autopoiesis: A Theory of the Living Organization, pp. 145-154. Edited by Milan ZeTeny. 16. Haken, Hermann. Synergetics: An Introduction. Non-equilibrium Phase Tran­ sitions and Self-Organization in Physics, Chemistry and Biology. New York: Springer, 1978. *17. Jantsch, Erich, ed. The Evolutionary Vision: Toward ~ Unifying Paradigm of Physical, Biological, and Sociocultural Evolution. Boulder: Westview, 1981. **18. . The Self-Organizing Universe: Scientific and Human Implications of ,the Ernerging Paradigm of Evolution. New York: Pergamon, 1980. 19. . "Unifying Principles of Evolution." In The Evolutionary Vision: Toward ~ Unifying Paradigm of Physical, Biological, and Sociocultural Evolution, pp. 83-115. Edited by Erich Jantsch. BoUTder: Westview, 1981. 20. Marney, M.C. and Smith, N.M. "The Domain of Adaptive Systems." General Systems 9 (1964): 107-134. 8

21. Maruyama, Magorah. 11 The Second Gybernetics:·Deviation-Amplifying Mutual Gausal Processes. 11 American Scientist 51 (1963): 164-179. *22. Maturana, Humberto R. 11 The Organization of the Living: A Theory of the Living Organization. 11 International Journal of Man-Machine Studies 7 (1975): 313-332. **23. and Varela, Francisco J. "Autopoiesis: The Organization of the Living." In Autopoiesis and Gognition: The Realization of the Living, pp. 73-123. Humberto R. Maturana and Francisco J. Varela. Boston: Reidel, 1980. *24. Nicolis, Gregoire and Prigogine, Ilya. Self-Organization in Noneguilibrium Systems: From Dissipative Structures to Order Through Fluctuations. New York: John Wiley, 1977. 25. Pask, Gordon A. "The Gybernetics of Evolutionary Processes and of Self­ Organizing Systems ... In 3e Gonqres International de Gybernetigue, pp. 27-74. Namur: Association Internationale de Gybernetique, 1965. 26. and Von Foerster, Heinz. 11 A Predictive Model for Self-Organizing Systems... Gybernetica 3 (1960): 258-300; 4 {1961): 20-55. 27. Platt, John. 11 Hierarchical Restructuring. 11 General Systems 15 (1970): 49- 54. 28. Prigogine, Ilya. From Being to Becoming: Time and Gomplexity in the Physical Sciences. San Francisco: Freeman, 1980. 29. "Order Through Fl uctuation: Self-Organi zati on and Socia 1 System." In Evolution and Gonsciousness: Human Systems in Transition, pp. 93- 133. Edited by Erich Jantsch and Gonrad H. Waddington. Reading: Addi son-Wesl ey ,•1976. 30. Sagasti, Francisco R. 11 A Gonceptual and Taxonomie Framewerk for the Analysis of Adaptive Behavior. 11 General Systems 15 (1970): 151-160. 31. Smuts, Jan. Holism and Evolution. London: MacMillan, 1926. *32. Taylor, Al istair. 11 Process and Structure in Sociocultural Systems... In Evolution and Gonsciousness: Human Systems in Transition, pp. 169-184. Edited by Erich Jantsch and Gonrad H. Waddington. Reading: Addison­ Wesley, 1976. 33. Varela, Francisco J. Principles of Biological Autonomy. New York: North Holland, 1979. 34. Vendryes, Pierre. Determinisme et Autonomie. Paris: Annand Golin, 1956. 35. Yovits, Marshall and Gameron, Scott. eds. Self-Organizing Systems. New York: Pergamon, 1960. 36. Yovits, Marshal, et al., eds. Self-Organizing Systems 1962. New York: Pergarnon, 1962. *37. Zeleny, Milan, ed. Autopoiesis, Dissipative Structures, and Spontaneaus Social Orders. Boulder: Westview, 1981 .. **38. , ed. Autopoiesis: A Theory of the Living Organization. New York: North Holland, 1981. 39. . 11 Autopoiesis 1980: An Annotated Bibliography. 11 In Autopoiesis: A Theory of the Living Organization, pp. 15-17. Edited by Milan Zeleny. New York: North Holland, 1981.

All Hallow's Eve 1981 Annual Meeting of the American Society for Gybernetics George Washington University Washington, D.C. 20036