From: Francis Heylighen Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds Subject: CFP: Theories and Metaphors of Cyberspace Date: 7 Sep 1995 19:26:51 GMT Organization: Brussels Free Universities VUB/ULB Message-Id: <42nh1r$68@rc1.vub.ac.be> From Francis Heylighen Please distribute to related newsgroups/mailing lists... CALL FOR PAPERS ************************************************************************ * Symposium : * * THEORIES AND METAPHORS OF CYBERSPACE * * * * modelling the cognitive and social implications of global networking * * * ************************************************************************ 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 "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