In which we discuss the Viable System Model, by Stafford Beer. We read "The VSM Guide" by Jon Walker, and "The Viable System Model as a Framework for Understanding Organizations" by Raul Espejo and Antonia Gill.

If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
Links:
A diagram of the VSM (on wikipedia)
The Viable System Model as a Framework for Understanding Organizations
The VSM Guide
General Intellect Unit on iTunes
http://generalintellectunit.net
Support the show on Patreon
https://twitter.com/giunitpod
General Intellect Unit on Facebook
General Intellect Unit on archive.org

038 - The Viable System Model

Podcast of the Cybernetic Marxists. Examining the intersection of Technology, (Left) Politics, and Philosophy

Society & Culture

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K-12

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Science

In which the show ends, and Kyle & June reflect on the project.
Thank you all.
Links:
General Intellect Unit on iTunes
http://generalintellectunit.net
generalintellectunit@gmail.com
Support the show on Patreon
https://twitter.com/giunitpod
General Intellect Unit on Facebook
General Intellect Unit on archive.org
Emancipation Network

111 - Exit Code 0

In which Kyle interviews Eric Meier on his recent exhibition "Art, Design, Aesthetics of Democratic Economic Planning".
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
Links:
A tour of the exhibition, on Youtube
"About my exhibition 'Art, Design, Aesthetics of Democratic Economic Planning'"
Eric on Twitter 
Eric on Instagram 
General Intellect Unit on iTunes
http://generalintellectunit.net
Support the show on Patreon
https://twitter.com/giunitpod
General Intellect Unit on Facebook
General Intellect Unit on archive.org
Emancipation Network

110 - Aesthetics of Democratic Economic Planning

In which we are joined by Ezri of Swampside Chats, to continue our discussion of "Computer Power and Human Reason: From Judgement to Calculation" by Joseph Weizenbaum. In this episode we cover the third an fourth chapters of the book.

Computer Power and Human Reason: From Judgment to Calculation (1976) by Joseph Weizenbaum displays the author's ambivalence towards computer technology and lays out the case that while artificial intelligence may be possible, we should never allow computers to make important decisions because computers will always lack human qualities such as compassion and wisdom.
Weizenbaum makes the crucial distinction between deciding and choosing. Deciding is a computational activity, something that can ultimately be programmed. It is the capacity to choose that ultimately makes one a human being. Choice, however, is the product of judgment, not calculation. Comprehensive human judgment is able to include non-mathematical factors such as emotions. Judgment can compare apples and oranges, and can do so without quantifying each fruit type and then reductively quantifying each to factors necessary for mathematical comparison.

If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
Links:
Computer Power and Human Reason on Wikipedia
Turing's O-Machines
General Intellect Unit on iTunes
http://generalintellectunit.net
Support the show on Patreon
https://twitter.com/giunitpod
General Intellect Unit on Facebook
General Intellect Unit on archive.org
Emancipation Network

109 - Computer Power and Human Reason, Part 6

In which we are joined by Ezri of Swampside Chats, to continue our discussion of "Computer Power and Human Reason: From Judgement to Calculation" by Joseph Weizenbaum. In this episode we cover the second chapter of the book.

Computer Power and Human Reason: From Judgment to Calculation (1976) by Joseph Weizenbaum displays the author's ambivalence towards computer technology and lays out the case that while artificial intelligence may be possible, we should never allow computers to make important decisions because computers will always lack human qualities such as compassion and wisdom.
Weizenbaum makes the crucial distinction between deciding and choosing. Deciding is a computational activity, something that can ultimately be programmed. It is the capacity to choose that ultimately makes one a human being. Choice, however, is the product of judgment, not calculation. Comprehensive human judgment is able to include non-mathematical factors such as emotions. Judgment can compare apples and oranges, and can do so without quantifying each fruit type and then reductively quantifying each to factors necessary for mathematical comparison.

If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
Links:
Computer Power and Human Reason on Wikipedia
Weizenbaum's Nightmares, on The Guardian
Inside the Very Human Origin of the Term “Artificial Intelligence”
General Intellect Unit on iTunes
http://generalintellectunit.net
Support the show on Patreon
https://twitter.com/giunitpod
General Intellect Unit on Facebook
General Intellect Unit on archive.org
Emancipation Network

108 - Computer Power and Human Reason, Part 5

In which we are joined by Ezri of Swampside Chats, to continue our discussion of "Computer Power and Human Reason: From Judgement to Calculation" by Joseph Weizenbaum. In this episode we cover the first chapter of the book.

Computer Power and Human Reason: From Judgment to Calculation (1976) by Joseph Weizenbaum displays the author's ambivalence towards computer technology and lays out the case that while artificial intelligence may be possible, we should never allow computers to make important decisions because computers will always lack human qualities such as compassion and wisdom.
Weizenbaum makes the crucial distinction between deciding and choosing. Deciding is a computational activity, something that can ultimately be programmed. It is the capacity to choose that ultimately makes one a human being. Choice, however, is the product of judgment, not calculation. Comprehensive human judgment is able to include non-mathematical factors such as emotions. Judgment can compare apples and oranges, and can do so without quantifying each fruit type and then reductively quantifying each to factors necessary for mathematical comparison.

If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
Links:
Computer Power and Human Reason on Wikipedia
Weizenbaum's Nightmares, on The Guardian
Inside the Very Human Origin of the Term “Artificial Intelligence”
General Intellect Unit on iTunes
http://generalintellectunit.net
Support the show on Patreon
https://twitter.com/giunitpod
General Intellect Unit on Facebook
General Intellect Unit on archive.org
Emancipation Network

038 - The Viable System Model

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