Cybernetic Communication Systems

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Cybernetic Communication Systems

• Susan Birtwell
• ETEC 531
• Production 2

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Choose your direction
Handout (Word document)
definitions
resources
Feedback cycles
reflections
learn more
This is how you steer back home from other slides.
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Cybernetic Communication Systems definitions

• two way communication
• interacting with a computer not other people1
• circulation of information in the form of links
  and feedback loops2
• everything connects nothing is outside the loop2
• The study of communication and control in living
  beings and machines built by man.3
• the ways a system gauges its effect and makes
  necessary adjustments. 4

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Cybernetic Communication Systemsmodel3
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Cybernetic Communication Systems characteristics

• multiple feedback loops.  
• each loop
• collects data from the system
• evaluates the data
• adjusts the system based on the evaluation
• cycle can continue indefinitely.
• Example Total Quality Management - every defect
  is a treasure a chance to continuously improve a
  product.

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Positive feedback

• new data facilitate and accelerate the
  transformation in the same direction as the
  preceding results
• their effects are cumulative.
• exponential growth or decline
• Example inflation

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Negative feedback

• new data produce a result in the opposite
  direction to previous results
• their effects stabilize the system
• produce goal seeking behaviours
• Example osmosis

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Positive Negative Feedback

• need both to prevent destruction of system
• tend to be cyclical
• Example
• Industrial revolution increased production ()
• increased pollution (-)
• environmental controls ()

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Cybernetic Communication Systemsexamples

• Autopilot
• Cruise control in a car
• GPS
• Course evaluations
• Diets

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Feedback cycles

• CYBCOM (American Society for Cybernetics)
  largest/most active discussion forum dedicated to
  cybernetics and related topics. To join, email
  listserv_at_hermes.circ.gwu.edu message "sub cybcom
  YOURNAME"
• send me your feedback

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Cybernetic Communication Systemsrelated
resources

• Biofeedback games
• Orwellian predictions
• microchip implants
• Microchips for Mexican government officials
• Professor Warwick as Cyborg
• Cybernetic community Principia Cybernetica

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Who is steering my ship?
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Bibliography

• 1 Timothy Leary in Cyberspace. 1996. Online.
  Accessed October 1,2004 http//www.ecomall.com/gre
  enshopping/tim.htm
• 2 Janez Strehovec. 2000. Closeness that Grows
  towards the User. Accessed October 1, 2004.
  http//www2.arnes.si/ljzpubs1/closeness.htm
• 3 F. Heylighen, C. Joslyn and V. Turchin
  (editors). 2000. Principia Cybernetica Web
  Accessed September 27, 2004 http//pespmc1.vub.ac.
  be
• 4 Foulger, D. 2004. Models of the Communication
  Process. Accessed September 27, 2004
  http//foulger.info/davis/research/unifiedModelOfC
  ommunication.htm
• Definition of cybernetics adapted from
  http//www.asc-cybernetics.org/foundations/definit
  ions.htm

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