Cybernetics in Literature & Literary Theory

Cybernetics: Etymology and Concept

Etymology:

The term “cybernetics” is derived from the Greek word “kybernetes,” which means “steersman” or “governor.” The term was first introduced by Norbert Wiener in his 1948 book titled Cybernetics: Or Control and Communication in the Animal and the Machine. Wiener chose this term to describe the interdisciplinary field that he envisioned, which focuses on the study of communication and control in living organisms and machines.

Concept:

Concept	Description
Interdisciplinary Nature	Cybernetics is an interdisciplinary field that draws on principles from mathematics, engineering, biology, psychology, and other disciplines to understand systems and control mechanisms.
Communication and Control	The central focus of cybernetics is the study of communication and control processes within systems, whether biological, mechanical, or social, aiming to uncover general principles governing these processes.
Feedback Loops	Cybernetics emphasizes the importance of feedback loops in systems, where information about the system’s output is used to adjust and regulate its behavior, creating a continuous loop of control.
System Dynamics	It explores the dynamics of systems, considering how elements within a system interact and how the system as a whole responds to external inputs and changes.
Application to Artificial Intelligence	Cybernetics has been influential in the development of artificial intelligence, with its principles contributing to the design of adaptive and learning systems.

Cybernetics, with its roots in communication, control, and interdisciplinary collaboration, provides a framework for understanding and analyzing the complex interactions within diverse systems.

Cybernetics: Meanings

Concept	Description
Literal Meaning	– The term “cybernetics” is derived from the Greek word “kybernetes,” meaning “steersman” or “governor.”
	– Literally, it refers to the study of communication and control in living organisms and machines.
Other Meanings	– Interdisciplinary Field: Cybernetics represents an interdisciplinary field that encompasses principles from various disciplines such as mathematics, engineering, biology, and psychology.
	– Feedback and Control: In a broader sense, cybernetics refers to the examination of systems and the application of feedback and control mechanisms to understand their functioning.
	– System Dynamics: Cybernetics explores the dynamics of systems, considering the interactions between components and the responses to external stimuli.
	– Artificial Intelligence: The term is also associated with the development of artificial intelligence, where cybernetic principles contribute to designing adaptive and learning systems.
	– Self-Regulation: In a philosophical context, cybernetics may be associated with the idea of self-regulation and self-governance in complex systems.

Cybernetics: Definition of a Theoretical Term

Cybernetics is a theoretical term encompassing the interdisciplinary study of communication, control, and feedback mechanisms within systems, whether biological, mechanical, or social.

It originated from the Greek word “kybernetes,” meaning “steersman” or “governor,” reflecting its focus on understanding how systems self-regulate and adapt.

The field employs mathematical models and principles drawn from diverse disciplines, providing a theoretical framework to analyze the dynamics of complex systems and their responses to external stimuli.

Cybernetics: Theorists, Works and Argument

Theorists:

1. Norbert Wiener (1894-1964): Wiener is considered the founder of cybernetics and introduced the term in his seminal work Cybernetics: Or Control and Communication in the Animal and the Machine (1948). He argued that systems, both natural and artificial, could be studied through the lens of communication and control processes.
2. Gregory Bateson (1904-1980): A social scientist and anthropologist, Bateson contributed to cybernetics with his work on the concept of feedback and its role in communication. His ideas extended into the realms of sociology and psychology.
3. Claude Shannon (1916-2001): Although primarily known for his contributions to information theory, Shannon’s work on communication and signal processing played a crucial role in the development of cybernetics. His paper “A Mathematical Theory of Communication” (1948) laid the groundwork for understanding information in systems.

Works:

1. Norbert Wiener – Cybernetics: Or Control and Communication in the Animal and the Machine (1948): In this foundational work, Wiener introduced cybernetics as the study of control and communication in living organisms and machines. He explored the application of feedback mechanisms in understanding complex systems.
2. Gregory Bateson – Steps to an Ecology of Mind (1972): Bateson’s collection of essays delves into it, information theory, and the broader implications of feedback in the social and natural world. He argued for a systemic understanding of communication.
3. Claude Shannon – “A Mathematical Theory of Communication” (1948): While not explicitly a cybernetics work, Shannon’s paper laid the groundwork for understanding information and communication in systems, providing essential concepts for cybernetics.

Argument:

• Unified Framework: The core argument within cybernetics is that systems, regardless of their nature, can be comprehensively understood through the study of communication, feedback, and control mechanisms.
• Holistic Approach: The theorists asserted that by focusing on these fundamental principles, it is possible to develop a unified framework for analyzing diverse systems, ranging from biological organisms to artificial intelligence.
• Emphasis on Feedback: The emphasis on feedback loops and self-regulating processes became central to the cybernetic perspective, offering a holistic approach to understanding the dynamics and behavior of complex systems.

Cybernetics: Major Characteristics

Characteristics	Description
Interdisciplinary Nature	Cybernetics is inherently interdisciplinary, drawing from fields such as mathematics, engineering, biology, and psychology to study communication and control in systems.
Communication and Control	The central focus is on the study of communication and control processes within diverse systems, both natural and artificial, to understand their behavior and functioning.
Feedback Mechanisms	Cybernetics places a significant emphasis on feedback loops, where information about a system’s output is used to regulate and modify its behavior, creating a continuous loop of control.
System Dynamics	The field explores the dynamics of systems, analyzing how components interact and how the system as a whole responds to external inputs, changes, and disturbances.
Application to AI	Cybernetics has played a pivotal role in the development of artificial intelligence, contributing principles that enable the design of adaptive and learning systems.

Cybernetics: Relevance in Literary Theories

1. Feedback in Literary Criticism:

• Dynamic Interpretation: Cybernetics introduces the idea of feedback loops, allowing literary critics to analyze the dynamic interaction between a reader’s interpretation and an author’s text. This approach recognizes that interpretations can evolve and influence subsequent readings.

2. Systemic Analysis of Texts:

• Interconnected Elements: Cybernetics encourages a systemic examination of literary texts, emphasizing the interconnectedness of characters, themes, and narrative structures. This perspective aids literary theorists in uncovering the underlying systems that contribute to the overall meaning of a work.

3. Communication and Intertextuality:

• Textual Networks: The cybernetic emphasis on communication aligns with the literary concept of intertextuality. Literary theorists can use cybernetics to analyze how texts communicate with each other, forming intricate networks of references and influences.

4. Control and Authorial Intent:

• Authorial Influence: Cybernetics provides insights into control mechanisms, allowing literary theorists to explore how authors exert influence over their works. This includes examining the impact of authorial intent on the text and the reader’s reception.

5. Dynamic Literary Systems:

• Evolution of Literary Dynamics: It offers a perspective that sees literature as a dynamic system. Literary theorists can employ this framework to study how the relationships between characters, themes, and narrative elements evolve over time within a literary work.

6. Adaptation and Evolution of Literary Forms:

• Changing Genres and Structures: Informed by it, literary theorists can explore how literary forms adapt and evolve over time. This includes studying how genres and narrative structures undergo changes in response to cultural shifts, technological advancements, and societal developments.

Cybernetics: Application in Critiques

Novel	Strengths	Weaknesses
Neuromancer by William Gibson	– Seminal cyberpunk exploration – Dystopian critique of technology’s dehumanizing effects	– Complex narrative – Dense technological jargon – Criticisms of stereotypical portrayal of women
Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson	– Satirical exploration – Critique of corporate power and privacy loss in a hyperconnected world	– Uneven pacing – Overwhelming technical details – Satirical tone may not resonate with all readers
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick	– Classic exploration of humanity in a cybernetic future – Ethical considerations of artificial intelligence	– Slow pacing – Less action-oriented – Complex philosophical themes may be challenging for some readers
The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson	– Societal impact of nanotechnology – Critique of class divisions and technology’s dual role	– Complex narrative structure – Daunting technical details – Uneven pacing for some readers

This table provides a comprehensive overview of the strengths and weaknesses of each novel in the context of cybernetics. You can use this format as a reference or modify it based on your specific needs.

Cybernetics: Relevant Terms

1. Cybernetics: Study of communication and control in organisms and machines.
2. Feedback: Process of using output to regulate a system.
3. Control System: Manages and regulates processes.
4. Artificial Intelligence (AI): Computer systems with human-like abilities.
5. Human-Machine Interface (HMI): Point of interaction between humans and machines.
6. Emergence: Complex patterns from simpler components.
7. Entropy: Measure of disorder in a system.
8. Systems Theory: Explores organization and interrelationships of systems.
9. Cognitive Science: Interdisciplinary study of mind and intelligence.
10. Robotics: Technology for design and operation of robots.

Cybernetics: Suggested Readings

1. Wiener, Norbert. Cybernetics: Or Control and Communication in the Animal and the Machine. MIT Press, 1948.
2. Bateson, Gregory. Steps to an Ecology of Mind: Collected Essays in Anthropology, Psychiatry, Evolution, and Epistemology. University of Chicago Press, 2000.
3. Ashby, W. Ross. An Introduction to Cybernetics. Chapman & Hall, 1956.
4. Hayles, N. Katherine. How We Became Posthuman: Virtual Bodies in Cybernetics, Literature, and Informatics. University of Chicago Press, 1999.
5. Heinz von Foerster, Pörksen, Bernhard. Understanding Systems: Conversations on Epistemology and Ethics. Springer, 2002.
6. Beer, Stafford. Brain of the Firm: The Managerial Cybernetics of Organization. Wiley, 1972.
7. Pickering, Andrew. The Cybernetic Brain: Sketches of Another Future. University of Chicago Press, 2010.
8. Turkle, Sherry. Life on the Screen: Identity in the Age of the Internet. Simon & Schuster, 1995.
9. Wiener, Norbert. The Human Use of Human Beings: Cybernetics and Society. Houghton Mifflin, 1950.