D- Cybernetics and the Problems of Control
1) Norbert Weiner, “Cybernetics in History”, The Human Use of Human Beings: Cybernetics and Society, 1954.
William
Could perfect engineering obviate a feedback system? Or is this simply elaborate prearranged behavior? Does this mean that feedback is predicated on error?
Negin:
1) What is the meaning of “Control”? if two person communicate to each other, which one controls the other? What about man and machine or animal?
2) How do the new theory of Light (Maxwel) and the old one ( Newton) relate to Cybernetics? What about the theory of “relativity” by Einstein?
Rob-
1. On page 18, is Huygens’ Principle saying that the first central light source passes on light to the secondary sources? Or did the secondary sources already have light?
2. In the paragraph on Einstein on page 20, it is a little hard to understand what the author is trying to get at without him being a little more specific about what parts of the others’ work he is referring to. What is the argument being made?
3. The examples of the music box and the kitten on page 22 were very helpful because they made the distinction between a closed system and a more adaptable system very clear.
2) Gordon Pask, “The Architectural Relevance of Cybernetics”, Architectural Design, September 1969.
William
Can static construction truly fit into the cybernetic model, or will it remain symbolic or representational? Or is static construction the perfect feedback system?
Negin:
1) What does it mean that “Architects are required to design dynamic rather than static entities” ?
2) What is the difference between the relation of Cybernetics and Architecture in the past and now?
Rob-
1. What does Pask mean when he writes “… each sub-theory fostered a certain sort of building or a certain sort of socio-architectural dogma.”
2. Pask’s statement that Gaudi’s work is pure functionalism because it only satisfies the symbolic and informational needs of man seems technically correct by definition, but incorrect conceptually. If something that served a function can be called functionalist, then almost anything could be considered functionalist in contrast to the architectural concept of functionalism which is more associated with formal functionalism and efficiency.
3. In the second paragraph under “Status of the New Theory,” is Pask talking about a similar machine (system) as in Stafford Beer’s writing?
3) Stafford Beer, “The Disregarded Tools of Moderns Man”, “A Liberty Machine In Prototype”, The Free man in a Cybernetic World”, in Designing Freedom, Massey Lectures, 1973.
William
In a milieu of rapid technological obsolescence, does a difference-attenuating simulation system require a higher order evaluator? Even assuming infinite computing power, is there a terminal feedback system? Or would infinite computing power completely enable proper accommodation of variation?
Negin:
1) How can we (as a designer) gain intellectual freedom? What is the difference between intellectual courage and intellectual conformity?
Rob-
1. The argument on page 27 makes sense, but I find it rather difficult to fully wrap my head around. It is logical to think that computers don’t make mistakes, but if humans program computers, and humans make mistakes, than computers are bound to make mistakes because they have been programmed in. So, the computer is not really making a mistake, but it also means that a perfect, mistake-free, system would never be possible because humans could never program something mistake-free.
2. Can we discuss the diagram on the bottom of page 33? I don’t really understand it.
3. Why did the system in Chile fail? Was it because of the system itself or was it because of the president?