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CFP: Theories and Metaphors of Cyberspace (Vienna, April'96)
``` Date: Thu, 18 May 1995 16:23:34 +0100 From: fheyligh@vnet3.vub.ac.be (Francis Heylighen) Subject: CFP: Theories and Metaphors of Cyberspace (Vienna, April'96)
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CALL FOR PAPERS
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Symposium : THEORIES AND METAPHORS OF CYBERSPACE modelling the cognitive and social implications of global networking
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as part of the
13th European Meeting on Cybernetics and Systems Research EMCSR'96, Vienna, April 9-12, 1996
Symposium URL: http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/cybspasy.html
About the Symposium:
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A symposium organized by the Principia Cybernetica Project (PCP) will be held at EMCSR'96. Chaipersons are F. Heylighen and S. Umpleby. The objective is to better understand the implications of the present explosive growth in global computer networks, like the Internet or the World-Wide Web. We wish to develop models of how these networks will further develop and how they will affect individuals and society on all levels.
Soon, the whole of human knowledge will be directly available to any person with access to a networked computer. Moreover, communication between individuals will become much easier, faster and more transparent. "Smart" computer systems will allow novel applications (virtual reality, intelligent agents, distributed processing, automated indexing...) that no one before ever would have dreamt of. These changes will affect and deeply transform all aspects of society: education (distance learning, electronic universities), work (telework, groupware), commerce (electronic cash and banking), the media, government (electronic democracy), health, science and technology... It seems as though society's collective intelligence will increase manifold, perhaps producing an evolutionary transition to a higher level of intelligence.
As these developments are so fast, and so difficult to predict, precise models are usually not possible. In that case, comprehension may be helped by using analogies. Examples of such metaphors for global network functions are the "Information Superhighway", the network as a "Super-brain", which emphasizes the collective intelligence of all users and computers connected by the network, Jacques Vallee's notion of an "information singularity", which notes that networked information becomes instantaneously available everywhere, and "Cyberspace" itself, which visualizes networked information as an immense space through which one can "surf".
Metaphors, however, only express one or a few aspects of a multidimensional phenomenon. Therefore, we should move to more detailed and comprehensive models, which can be tested by observation, implementation or simulation. Cybernetics, as a theory of communication, information and control, seems most directly applicable to such model-building, but valuable insights may come from the most diverse domains: sociology, futurology, AI, complex systems, man-machine interaction, cognitive psychology, etc. Our emphasis is on concepts, principles, and observations, rather than on technical protocols or implementations, although existing systems may provide a concrete illustration from which more general implications can be derived.
The Conference
The European Meetings on Cybernetics and Systems Research are possibly the most important and best organized large congresses in their domain. Though they are called "European" by tradition, they really bring together researchers from all continents. Among the distinctive features are the high quality, well-distributed Proceedings, which are available at the start of the Conference. Therefore, papers should be submitted quite a while before the start of the conference.
Submission of papers
Full papers on the above themes should be directly submitted to the Conference Secretariat (mentioning you wish to submit to Symposium L), not to the Symposium Chairs. However, we would like you to already send a 1 to 2 page abstract of your paper to F. Heylighen (fheyligh@vnet3.vub.ac.be), so that we can tell you quickly whether this topic is suitable for the symposium, and so that the abstract can be made available on the World-Wide Web for other participants to read. We would like to receive the abstract well enough in advance so that you would be able to get your full paper ready by the October 12, 1995 deadline. (note that acceptance of the abstract does not necessarily imply acceptance of the full paper).
About Principia Cybernetica:
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The Principia Cybernetica Project (PCP) is a collaborative attempt to develop a complete cybernetic and evolutionary philosophy. Such a philosophical system should arise from a transdisciplinary unification and foundation of the domain of Systems Theory and Cybernetics. Similar to the metamathematical character of Whitehead and Russell's "Principia Mathematica", PCP is meta-cybernetical in that we use cybernetic tools and methods to analyze and develop cybernetic theory.
These include the computer-based tools of hypertext, electronic mail, electronic publishing, and knowledge structuring software. They are meant to support the process of collaborative theory-building by a variety of contributors, with different backgrounds and living in different parts of the world. PCP thus naturally develops in the "cyberspace" of interlinked documents on the World-Wide Web. PCP's web server can be found at http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/.
PCP is being developed as a dynamic, multi-dimensional conceptual network. The basic architecture consists of nodes, containing expositions and definitions of concepts, connected by links, representing the associations that exist between the concepts. Both nodes and links can belong to different types, expressing different semantic and practical categories.
As its name implies, PCP focuses on the clarification of fundamental concepts and principles of the broadly defined domain of cybernetics and systems, which includes related disciplines such as the "sciences of complexity", AI, ALife, Cognitive Science, Evolutionary Systems, etc. Concepts include: Complexity, Information, Entropy, System, Freedom, Control, Self-organization, Emergence, etc.
The PCP philosophical system is to be seen as a clearly thought out and well-formulated, global "world view", integrating the different domains of knowledge and experience. It should provide an answer to the basic questions: "Who am I? Where do I come from? Where am I going to?".
The PCP philosophy is systemic and evolutionary, based on the spontaneous emergence of higher levels of organization or control (metasystem transitions) through blind variation and natural selection. It includes: a) a metaphysics, based on processes or actions as ontological primitives, b) an epistemology, which understands knowledge as constructed by the subject or group, but undergoing selection by the environment; c) an ethics, with survival and the continuance of the process of evolution as supreme values.
Philosophy and implementation of PCP are united by their common framework based on cybernetic and evolutionary principles: the computer-support system is intended to amplify the spontaneous development of knowledge which forms the main theme of the philosophy.
PCP is managed by a board of editors, presently: V. Turchin [CUNY, New York], C. Joslyn [NASA and SUNY Binghamton] and F. Heylighen [Free Univ. of Brussels]. Contributors are kept informed through the PRNCYB-L electronic mailing list. Further activities of PCP are publications in journals or books, and the organization of meetings or symposia.
More information about PCP is available at http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/, by anonymous ftp to is1.vub.ac.be, directory /pub/projects/Principia_Cybernetica, or by email request to PCP@vnet3.vub.ac.be.
About EMCSR'96
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Cybernetics - "the study of communication and control in the animal and the machine" (N.Wiener) - has recently returned to the forefront, not only in cyberpunk and cyberspace, but, even more important, contributing to the consolidation of various scientific theories. Additionally, an ever increasing number of research areas, including social and economic theories, theoretical biology, ecology, computer science, and robotics draw on ideas from second order cybernetics. Artificial intelligence, evolved directly from cybernetics, has not only technological and economic, but also important social impacts. With a marked trend towards interdisciplinary cooperation and global perspectives, this important role of cybernetics is expected to be further strengthened over the next years.
Since 1972, the biennial European Meetings on Cybernetics and Systems Research (EMCSR) have served as a forum for discussion of converging ideas and new aspects of different scientific disciplines. As on previous occasions, a number of sessions providing wide coverage of the rapid developments will be arranged, complemented with daily plenary meetings, where eminent speakers will present latest research results.
SESSIONS + Chairpersons:
A General Systems Methodology G.J.Klir, USA
B New Developments in Mathematical Systems Theory Y.Rav, France, and F.Pichler, Austria
C Complex Systems Analysis and Design J.W.Rozenblit, USA, and H.Praehofer, Austria
D Fuzzy Systems, Approximate Reasoning and Knowledge-Based Systems C.Carlsson, Finland, K.-P.Adlassnig, Austria, and E.P.Klement, Austria
E Designing and Systems, and Their Education B.Banathy, USA, W.Gasparski, Poland, and G.Goldschmidt, Israel
F Humanity, Architecture and Conceptualization G.Pask, UK, and E.Prem, Austria
G Biocybernetics and Mathematical Biology L.M.Ricciardi, Italy
H Cybernetics and Informatics in Medicine and Psychotherapy M.Okuyama, Japan, and G.Porenta, Austria
I Cybernetics of Socio-Economic Systems and of Country Development K.Balkus, USA, P.Ballonoff, USA, and S.A.Umpleby, USA
J Systems, Management and Organization G.Broekstra, Netherlands, and R.Hough, USA
K Communication and Computers A M.Tjoa, Austria
L Theories and Metaphors of Cyberspace F.Heylighen, Belgium, and S.A.Umpleby, USA
M Knowledge Discovery in Databases Y.Kodratoff, France
N Artificial Neural Networks and Adaptive Systems G.Palm, Germany, and G.Dorffner, Austria
O Theory and Applications of Artificial Intelligence V.Marik, Czech Republic, and E.Buchberger, Austria
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: Acceptance of contributions will be determined on the basis of Draft Final Papers. These Papers must not exceed 10 single-spaced A4 pages (maximum 43 lines, max. line length 160 mm, 12 point), in English. They have to contain the final text to be submitted, including graphs and pictures. However, these need not be of reproducible quality. The Draft Final Paper must carry the title, author(s) name(s), and affiliation (incl. e-mail address, if possible) in this order. Please specify the symposium in which you would like to present your paper. Each scientist shall submit only o n e paper. Please send f o u r hard copies of the Draft Final Paper to the Conference Secretariat (NOT to symposia chairpersons!) Electronic or fax submissions cannot be accepted.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: October 12, 1995. Submissions received after the deadline cannot be considered.
NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTANCE/REJECTION: Authors will be notified about acceptance or rejection no later than December 11, 1995. Successful authors will be provided by the conference secretariat at the same time with the instructions for the preparation of the final paper, which will also be available via ftp and World-Wide Web.
FINAL PAPERS: The final paper will be limited to a maximum of 6 pages (10-point, double column). Camera-ready copies of the final paper will be due at the conference secretariat by January 29, 1996. Acceptance of the final paper will be based on compliance with the reviewers' comments.
PRESENTATION: It is understood that each accepted paper is presented personally at the Meeting by one of its authors.
CONFERENCE FEE: AS 2800 if received before January 31, 1996 AS 3300 if received later AS 3800 if paid at the conference desk. The Conference Fee includes participation in the Thirteenth European Meeting, attendance at official receptions, and the volume of the proceedings available at the Meeting. Please send cheque, or transfer the amount free of charges for beneficiary to our account no. 0026-34400/00 at Creditanstalt-Bankverein Vienna. Please state your name clearly.
HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS will be handled by OESTERREICHISCHES VERKEHRSBUERO, Kongressabteilung, P.O.Box 30, A-1043 Vienna, phone +43-1-58925-118, fax +43-1-5867127. Reservation cards will be sent to all those returning the attached registration form.
SCHOLARSHIPS: The International Federation for Systems Research and the Austrian Society for Cybernetic Studies are willing to provide a limited number of scholarships covering the registration fee for the conference and part of the accommodation costs for colleagues from weak currency countries. Applications should be sent to the Conference Secretariat before October 12, 1995. - The EMCSR organizers cannot handle applications for participants to obtain support from other sources.
CHAIRMAN of the Meeting: Robert Trappl, President Austrian Society for Cybernetic Studies
SECRETARIAT: I. Ghobrial-Willmann and G. Helscher Austrian Society for Cybernetic Studies
A-1010 Vienna 1, Schottengasse 3 (Austria) Phone: +43-1-53532810 Fax: +43-1-5320652 E-mail: sec@ai.univie.ac.at
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EMCSR-96 THIRTEENTH EUROPEAN MEETING ON CYBERNETICS AND SYSTEMS RESEARCH
Please return to: Austrian Society for Cybernetic Studies Schottengasse 3, A-1010 VIENNA, AUSTRIA (EUROPE) E-mail: sec@ai.univie.ac.at
I plan to attend the Meeting. I intend to submit a paper to Session ..... I enclose the Draft Final Paper. My Draft Final Paper will arrive prior to October 12, 1995. My cheque for AS ....... covering the Conference Fee is enclosed. I have transferred AS ........ to your account 0026-34400/00 at Creditanstalt Vienna.* I shall not be at the Meeting but am interested to receive particulars of the Proceedings.
Name : Address : City : Country : Email :
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If you wish to present your paper in the session L, "Theories and Metaphors of Cyberspace", please send a copy of this form AND a 1 to 2 page abstract in ASCII or HTML by email to fheyligh@vnet3.vub.ac.be. (the abstract should not be sent to the Vienna address above).
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Dr. Francis Heylighen Systems Researcher PO, Free University of Brussels, Pleinlaan 2, B -1050 Brussels, Belgium Phone: +32-2-629 25 25; Fax: +32-2-629 24 89 (**new numbers!) Email:fheyligh@vnet3.vub.ac.be; URL: http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/HEYL.html ```
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