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:
-------------------
A symposium organized by the Principia Cybernetica Project (PCP) will be
held at EMCSR'96. Chairpersons 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 at all levels.
Soon, the whole of human knowledge will be directly available to all
persons 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 could have imagined. These changes will affect and deeply
transform all aspects of society: education (distance learning, electronic
universities), work (telework, groupware), commerce (electronic cash,
telebanking), 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).
Preliminary Program
Presentations at the Symposium will include:
Francis Heylighen
The World-Wide Web as a Global Brain: from metaphor to model
Stephen Bates
The End of Geography
Stephen Webb
Cyberspace, Virtual Reality and The End of History
Gottfried Mayer-Kress
Global Brains as Paradigm for a Complex Adaptive World
Paulo Camargo Silva
A Logic for Networked Virtual Worlds
Michael Cranford
The Social Trajectory of Virtual Reality: Substantive Ethics in a World
Without Constraints
About 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) by
*October 12, 1995* (see further). However, we would like you to also send a
1 to 2 page abstract of your paper to F. Heylighen
(fheyligh@vnet3.vub.ac.be), so that the abstract can immediately be made
available on the World-Wide Web for other participants to read.
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 1000 = about $ 100]
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
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 :
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If you wish to present your paper in the session "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