The Insights Series is an eclectic and learned collection of events on the 4th Tuesday of each month hosted by the Secretary of the Cybernetics Society. There are lectures, seminars, conversations, debates, participation, all advancing our knowledge of cybernetics and related disciplines and their applications to real world needs. Speakers present their own views, without Society endorsement.
Cybernetics is the science of achievement, the great meta-discipline of our time.
The CybSights Insights series is curated and hosted by the Secretary, Angus Jenkinson, FCybS. Attendance is free. Non-members are invited to make an optional donation or to Join.
In this session on HS2, we welcome you as the speakers!
This session takes a different turn from the usual presentation by a named individual or two. It is convened as a conversation between the members of the cybernetic community (and any visitors). The intention is not to give opinions on the pros and cons of this highly controversial and huge project. Instead, we will try to achieve a cybernetic steer, analyzing cybernetics itself.
Probing HS2: A Cybernetics Society Exploration
This session takes a different turn from the usual presentation by a named individual. It is convened as a conversation between the members of the cybernetic community (and any visitors). The intention is not to give opinions on the pros and cons of this highly controversial and huge project to build a huge new rail network across Britain. Instead, we will try to achieve a cybernetic steer, analyzing cybernetics itself.
“HS2 will help level-up the country”
In what way does cybernetics help us to make decisions on such projects?
HS2 is taken as a concrete example for our exploraiton. Fellows and members are invited to share approaches, tools and experiences.
Decisions can be about whether to do it.
They can also be about design questions, how it should be done. From planning to delivery.
Consider goals, consequences, contexts, observers, ecologies,
“THE WHOLE THING IS FRAUD”
“HS2 is a state-of-the-art, high-speed line critical for the UK’s low carbon transport future. It will provide much-needed rail capacity across the country, and is integral to rail projects in the North and Midlands – helping rebalance the UK economy.”
☛ “High speed rail travel is low carbon”
☛”HS2 is Britain’s biggest environment project”
☛”The environmental argument for building HS2 can be summed up by idea that “trains have to be better than cars or planes”.
If we agree the proposition that cybernetics as a scientific discipline has analytical tools that would assist in solving and resolving many complicated questions around such projects, then the question arises: How would we go about it? What is the cybernetic difference?
Cybernetics is not primarilty interested in the flow of energy but rather in the flows of information. What should these look like? Look how others view this:
☛ “The short duraton [sic] of the [Oakfield] review meant we did not conduct a formal call for evidence but instead canvassed the views of a wide variety of interested partes [sic] all with diferent perspectves [sic], both for and against the HS2 project”
☛ “OVER BUDGET AND BEHIND SCHEDULE”
☛ “New board members to strengthen oversight of HS2 as it enters next phase of delivery”
☛ “Huge new habitats to be created in Colne Valley”
☛ “DESTRUCTION AND DAMAGE TO WILDLIFE SITES”
☛ “The size and scale of HS2 offers a broad range of career opportunities [“HS2 is supporting 9,000 jobs around the country.”]
☛ “Businesses invited to tender for £12bn worth of HS2 contracts”
What you can do
Participants are invited to contribute, listen, comment, and respond in collaborative enquiry. Share knowledge or ask clarifying questions.
If you want some marked time (4-7m) to present something, please contact the Secretary, Angus Jenkinson
The goal is shared insights into cybernetics and its relevance. If we achieve insights into HS2, that will be a bonus.
☛ “HS2 will form the backbone of our rail network”
Links:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Speed_2
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/870092/oakervee-review.pdf
https://www.hs2.org.uk/what-is-hs2/
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/high-speed-two-limited
https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/51457276
http://stophs2.org
https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/hs2-ltd-loses-control-of-euston-and-phase-2b
The session is designed for audience participation!
Cybernetics Society – a learned society developing the science of design and contextual responsiveness.
For more events visit our Evenbrite studio page.
For videos of previous events visit our channel.
Cybernetics offers a distinct “go” — techniques — to address local and global challenges of the 21st century.
The Cybernetics Society promotes and offers education and research opportunities in the rich field of cybernetics. It is a specially authorised learned society regulated by the FSA and established by a 1974 Act of Parliament. To join visit our membership system or pick the Join ticket. We give MCybS and FCybS postnomal awards.
Cybernetics and the Society seek understanding of the vast domain of active causation, internally controlled behaviour towards outcomes of value in living organisms, people, ecosystems, societies and firms, and non-living machines. We cultivate the principles and praxis required to design policies, interventions, and innovations for social and ecological weal.
Cybernetics plays into and strongly influences many scientific and practice fields including design, epistemology, ecology, biology, psychology and living behaviour, technology and engineering, social policy, and business practice. Many feature in the wonderfully aware and successful designers and thinkers of this series.
We are interested in people who are learners, advisers, researchers, academics, designers, leaders. Those involved in policy and practice — think tanks, central and local government, enterprises, foundations, academic and civil society institutions. These may range from Rowntree to RSA, Royal Society to the Royal Institute of British Architects, the local housing association to the UN. We place great importance on the value of cybernetics for better business. From startups to global giants, cybernetics offers powerful insight and tools for enterprise.
The Cybernetics Society has been hosting conversations and lectures since the late 1960s. We also have an Annual Conference. Videos are shared on our YouTube Channel. Get in touch of you have an idea. Follow us.
