POSTHORN: Cybernetics

Cybernetics, from the Greek word kybernḗtēs (meaning helmsman) is at it's core the science of feedback loops. Imagine a ship as a system. The captian steers their ship through choppy waters in one direction, and the water gives them feedback based on that action. The captain then adjusts course based on the feedback, ad infinitum.

Viable Systems

The Viable Systems Model is a model for diagnosing or planning systems developed by Stafford Beer, composing of five levels that encounter different types of feedback and act accordingly.

Real world application of the VSM

In the 1970's, Chile under Salvadore Allende wanted to make their economy more efficient and democratic. They contacted Beer to assist them in this.

Operation BACKBEAT

... to apply cybernetic management science to the self.

Goal

The goal of this Operation is to determine wether or not adhering to the viable systems model on your own person affects your mental and physical health, assuming the viable systems model can be accurately mapped to a person or not.

Phases

Clearly define and document systems 5, 4, and 3
Implement a method for achieving an internal system 3*
Document "natural" system 2 operations
Clearly define and document system 1 operations
Record mental and physical health on a weekly basis

Systems definitions

System 5: Core identity; I am a 26 year old individual who goes by EATER. My interests lie in computers mostly, however I also enjoy; cooking, city planning, cartoons, and philosophy. My goals are to make things easier, more efficient, and overall assist others. My MO is cybernetic and dialectical.
System 4: Futures projecting; adjusting what I dedicate my research to based on what may be more useful.
System 3: Internal tactics; this will consist of loose daily scheduling, and possible other Operations / Protocols to maximise efficiency on commonly encountered scenarios.
System 3*: This could be journalling I think? Apart from sporadic BACKBEAT check ins.
System 2: Harmonization; ensuring my activites do not interfere or disrupt one another.
System 1: The actual things I do day to day.

BACKBEAT/motif

After review it seems I kinda already adhere to the VSM, just being able to analyse it seems to help my mental state. However that may also be because i've got a big girl job now

Additionally, I wasn't able to give myself structure but I was able to remap certain parts of the VSM to naturally occurring processes:

5 -> Unchanged
4 -> Now has additional input from my employer
3 -> Largely unchanged, save that my scheduling is now dictated by my employer
3* -> Oddly, this mostly took the shape of simply communicating with friends
2 -> Fell into place but unsure how to go into detail
1 -> Dayjob + personal upkeep

The main positive outcome from this Operation was that its possible to pick out potential problems prior to them progressing to unmanageable levels. While initially the scheduling was supposed to also be important, that fell into place naturally instead of constructively. My meta-perception of myself is stronger, although this specifically is more of a meta-meta-perception.

I was unable to find any journalling solution that would stick with me. Moving forward, I'll attempt to write them in my Systems Theory notebook and mark them with a Special Project tag. This seems like a method I could keep up with. Phase 5 was a wash, for now.