Cybernetics and American Youth Subculture

From Wikipedia

In 1947, Wiener decided to introduce the neologism cybernetics into his scientific theory. The name cybernetics was coined to denote the study of "teleological mechanisms”

In the early 1940s John von Neumann… contributed cellular automata, and their logical follow up the Von Neumann Universal Constructor.

The result of these deceptively simple thought-experiments was the concept of self replication which cybernetics adopted as a core concept. The concept that the same properties of genetic reproduction applied to social memes, living cells, and even computer viruses is further proof of the somewhat surprising universality of cybernetic study.

Cybernetics: founded on Control Theory analogies between machines and biology

Negative feedback in engineering thermoregulation

Negative feedback in biology thermoregulation

A cybernetics mystery: morphogenesis

Nature is full of analog systemsthat have mysterious patterns

Machines have digital systems: can they replicate those patterns?

Cybernetics founders:

Norbert Wiener John von Neumann

Develops mathematical models for feedback; particularly analog systems

Develops mathematical model for top-down architecture of digital computer

Collaborate with labor unions to prevent displacement of workers from automation; announces he will cease collaboration with military. FBI opens file on him as suspected communist.

Pushes for more nuclear weapons development, claims radiation not that bad. Pushes for first strike against USSR. Develops Cellular Automata in context of machines that survive nuclear strike.

The political polarization of cybernetics: basins of attraction

Coupling between political and technological maps in Bateson versus Mead

Youth subculture 1967

Youth subculture 1977