Second order Cybernetics considers the impact that the
observer has on the system being observed…. as such it covers all
most all aspects of human endeavor.

In effect, those
involved in second order cybernetics have turned the principles of
cybernetics upon the field of cybernetics itself. In order to qualify
as second-order cybernetics, the observer of a system must be described
and explained — the explanation can not be based purely on the system
observed as if the observer did not exist.

Tags: cybernetics, systems

The notion of a system may be seen as simply a more
self-conscious and generic term for the dynamic interrelatedness of
components.

Von Bertalanffy

General
Systems Theory is closely related to Cybernetics… this lens
concentrates on the former but also examines the relationship and where
the two fields overlap and can be used to give better insight into the
workings of complex and emerging systems.

Tags: sytems

Educational Cybernetics is concerned with improving both formal educational ventures and learning conversations.

It is based on Cybernetics – the science of communication and control – but is often influenced by the more general System Sciences including the thoeries surrounding embedded systems (ecological) modeling.

It
is normally approached through the form of “action research” and should
be considered as part of the sphere of Second Order Cybernetics as
studying education systems is of course the studying of people systems
and the process of studying systems we are in  causes the systems and us  to change.

Tags: cybernetics, education

A look at Invention and Innovation over the ages — with a special focus on construction and control of complex systems.

Tags: innovation, invention

This lens is dedicated to exploring the work of Stafford Beer and the development of his Viable Systems Model (VSM).

It is especially concerned with the applicaton of cybernetics to the field of organizational design, management and control.

Tags: VSM

A simple view of Cybernetics is as the science of communications and control in animal and machine.

Cybernetics, and the related domain of systems science , is the study
all forms of “organized complexity”, that is how different components
can be assembled in a way that is neither random nor repetitive so as
to form a “system”.

Pursued to its logical conclusion, this is
a study about how a system of components can arranged in such a way as
to fulfill a certain purpose. In this sense, Cybernetics is the study of viable system organization.

Tags: cybernetics