5 Comments

I like the comparison of the coxswain! This article outlines a non-hierarchical cybernetics. Co-operative cybernetics with distributed autonomy for the attainment of a mutual defined goal. I like it. As long as no one has a hand on a whip.

Expand full comment

Thank you. More will be coming in this vein soon :)

Expand full comment

This is good if people are confused, and/but cybernetics is about kuberntika, from Plato: skill in steering. The concept so often identified is really about someone attending to direction (intent or purpose) while taking into account tides, waves, weather, wind, rowing, rowers, sails, crew etc; achieving purpose in complexity. To the extent that this implies 'captain', well, coswain (though it has the elements of 'boy' and 'servant' which sound perhaps humble if you are thinking about servant leader) is specifically the person in charge of a boat. That charge is about making it work, being responsible for safety, taking on accountability. Just like a captain.

I would venture to suggest that kubernetes and coxswain are truly heteronyms, but anyone who assumes or imputes the captain metaphor is being misled, by whatever they're reading or themselves; cybernetics is about the steering and the capability of steersmanship, not some individual.

Expand full comment

More rhyzomatic compared to the "root" of the captain, I think it's a better metaphor for sure

Expand full comment

thank you <3

Expand full comment