cybernetics
Feedback loop science
Cybernetics is the study of communication and control systems in both machines and living organisms.
The field emerged in the mid-twentieth century, examining how systems regulate themselves through feedback loops—a thermostat adjusting temperature, a body maintaining balance, a guided missile correcting its course.
Cybernetics influenced early computing, artificial intelligence, and systems theory, though the term now sounds somewhat dated: The conference covered robotics, cybernetics, and neural networks.
Returned response data
- regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
- homeostasisBiological internal stability maintenance
- self-regulationManaging one's own behavior
- steeringControlling direction of movement
governor · thermostat · servomechanism · correction · stability · equilibrium · adaptation · adjustment
Programmable automated machine
- automationSelf-operating system design
- servomechanismFeedback-controlled automatic mechanism
- actuatorDevice producing controlled motion
- sensorInput-detecting device
controller · computer · algorithm · autonomous · humanoid · android · cyborg · mechatronics
State of being complicated
- emergenceComing into existence
- self-organizationSpontaneous internal structure emergence
- interconnectednessState of mutual linkage
- networkInterconnected system
hierarchy · subsystem · holism · synergy · dynamics · integration · modularity · interdependency
Living biological entity
- brainSeat of cognition
- homeostasisBiological internal stability maintenance
- metabolismCellular nutrient conversion
- cellBasic unit of life
adaptation · receptor · effector · reflex · endocrine · circadian · thermoregulation · biofeedback
Message-conveying cue
- noiseUnwanted auditory disturbance
- channelPassage for transmission
- encodingConverting data to format
- decodingExtracting meaning from symbols
transmission · entropy · redundancy · Shannon · Wiener · communication · message · data
How authority is exercised
- managementOrganizing and directing resources
- organizationStructured group with purpose
- sociotechnicalInvolving social and technological factors
- decision-makingProcess of choosing actions
policy · institutions · second-order · conversation · observer · reflexivity · power · coordination
feedback
Returned response data
- regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
- homeostasisBiological internal stability maintenance
- self-regulationManaging one's own behavior
steering · governor · thermostat · servomechanism · correction · stability · equilibrium · adaptation · adjustment · command
robot
Programmable automated machine
- automationSelf-operating system design
- servomechanismFeedback-controlled automatic mechanism
- actuatorDevice producing controlled motion
sensor · controller · computer · algorithm · autonomous · humanoid · android · cyborg · mechatronics · manipulator
complexity
State of being complicated
- emergenceComing into existence
- self-organizationSpontaneous internal structure emergence
- interconnectednessState of mutual linkage
network · hierarchy · subsystem · holism · synergy · dynamics · integration · modularity · interdependency · input-output
organism
Living biological entity
- brainSeat of cognition
- homeostasisBiological internal stability maintenance
- metabolismCellular nutrient conversion
cell · adaptation · receptor · effector · reflex · endocrine · circadian · thermoregulation · biofeedback · cognition
signal
Message-conveying cue
decoding · transmission · entropy · redundancy · Shannon · Wiener · communication · message · data · bit
governance
How authority is exercised
- managementOrganizing and directing resources
- organizationStructured group with purpose
- sociotechnicalInvolving social and technological factors
decision-making · policy · institutions · second-order · conversation · observer · reflexivity · power · coordination
- computingcomputer, computers, software, hardware, code
- disciplinesbiology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, psychology
- sci-fiscience fiction, Star Wars, sci-fi, Blade Runner 2049, aliens
- Futurismjetpacks, holograms, robots, androids, cyborgs
- Biohackingbiofeedback, biosensor, body modification, cognitive enhancement, grinder
- media theoryagenda setting, gatekeeping, framing, hypodermic needle, magic bullet
cyberneticschaos
Complete disorder and confusion
entropy · randomness · disorder · purposelessness · aimlessness
cyberneticsreductionism
Explaining wholes through parts
atomism · linear thinking · mechanism · compartmentalization · vitalism
cyberneticsenvironment
External conditions affecting life
nature · vitalism · naturalism · biology · instinct