CFP: Theories and Metaphors of Cyberspace (Vienna, April'96)

Francis Heylighen (fheyligh@VNET3.VUB.AC.BE)
Tue, 16 May 1995 16:19:18 +0100


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CALL FOR PAPERS

************************************************************************
* 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:
-------------------

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:
----------------------------

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
--------------

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

o I plan to attend the Meeting.

o I intend to submit a paper to Session .....

o I enclose the Draft Final Paper.

o My Draft Final Paper will arrive prior to October 12, 1995.

o My cheque for AS ....... covering the Conference Fee is enclosed.

o I have transferred AS ........ to your account 0026-34400/00
at Creditanstalt Vienna.

o I shall not be at the Meeting but am interested to receive
particulars of the Proceedings.

Name :
Address :
City :
Country :
Email :

_____________________________________________________

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).

________________________________________________________________________
Dr. Francis Heylighen, Systems Researcher fheyligh@vnet3.vub.ac.be
PESP, Free University of Brussels, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
Tel +32-2-6292525; Fax +32-2-6292489; http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/HEYL.html