On April 30, 2023, Associate Professor Hu Yilin participated in the "Everything · Medium" reading group, organized by the Medium Domain Alliance, and led the discussion on "The Human Use of Human Beings: Cybernetics and Society," the sixth season of their lecture series.
Book Overview:
"The Human Use of Human Beings: Cybernetics and Society" is a seminal work by Norbert Wiener, the founder of cybernetics and a prominent advocate for automation. First published in 1950 and revised in 1954, the book explores the interactions between humans, machines, and societal development through the lens of communication theory as temporal events. Wiener begins with discussions on the concept of a universe governed by chance and the historical roots of cybernetics, subsequently delving into diverse topics such as language, learning, organisms, law, communication, social policy, the role of intellectuals, the history of the industrial revolution, and communication machines.
Through this exploration, Wiener not only provides a fresh perspective and methodology for studying society but also envisions the future societal landscape, issuing warnings about potential challenges and proposing solutions.
Hu Yilin's leadership of the discussion illuminated the book's profound insights into the intersection of cybernetics and society, offering participants a deeper understanding of Wiener's contributions to the field and his foresight into the societal implications of technological advancements.
