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A Cybernetic Picnic for ISSS

Published onJun 20, 2021
A Cybernetic Picnic for ISSS

Introduction

After weeks of confinement, we dream the dream of a dream in virtual lands. Come join us for a cybernetic picnic. This is a beautiful day to celebrate The Art and Science of the Impossible.

Picnic blankets have been prepared for you. There is a fun palace blanket, a blanket with otters, a west coast blanket, a magic blanket, and many more. Choose yours! Other people will join.

Be advised, there is one obstruction. Entering the virtual lands is not entirely free. You have to bring two cybernetic objects. Choose wisely.

Cybernetic objects might be related to the broader field of cybernetics. They are related to a story, an anecdote or an idea, and can be contextually re-interpreted during the picnic sessions.

Here are some examples of cybernetic objects. You can choose these, or come with your own.

  • Bateson’s camera, which is certainly not just a camera. It sees certain things in certain ways. There is agency inscribed in the object. The camera might feel most comfortable on the picnic blanket with a river view.

  • Pask’s drawing of men with a hat in a man with a hat, which is not simply a drawing but a new way of thinking about the process of being in a world with others. It might go well with the fun palace picnic blanket.

  • Brand’s first catalogue, which is not simply a catalogue but a tool of possibilities on paper. It would go well, certainly, with the west coast blanket, but there are other options.

  • Von Foerster’s version of Wiegleb’s Introduction to Natural Magic, which is not simply a book on magic but an introduction to a new science.

Each of these objects is more than an object. It is the initiation of a new way of seeing, feeling, touching, observing - in short being. We would love it if you brought your own or your friends’ objects, but if you are new to cybernetics do not worry, choose two of the objects from the list above.

In case this is confusing, please note, the virtual lands do not require physical objects. Stories of objects will do!

At the picnic

At the picnic, you will meet with other people. You can choose a picnic blanket, meet with friends or people you have never seen before. Be prepared to tell the stories of your objects.

You will weave your objects and your stories into other objects and stories to make new objects, new uses, and new ways of being.

We are looking forward to A Cybernetic Picnic in the name of The Art and Science of the Impossible.

Technicalities

A Cybernetic Picnic will take place on the wonder.me platform. Unfortunately, wonder will not run on a tablet or phone. Participants will need to have either the edge or google chrome browser installed on a computer. No other browser will work. No other software is needed. The computer should have a camera, a microphone, and audio output.

Participants will be asked to create an account when they connect to the wonder.me platform for the first time. They will also be asked to provide an initial very short description of their cybernetic objects, a maximum of 60 characters.

Here is a brief video explaining how the wonder.me platform works

Instructions for all participants:

  1. Getting Ready | 2 minutes

  • remember that only Edge or Chrome browsers will work for the wonder.me platform. The Picnic is here: https://www.wonder.me/r?id=6c947a3b-ca87-4676-8856-445c8bfe5010

  • You will be asked to create an account when you connect to the wonder.me platform for the first time.

  • when you log in you will need to give permission to the browser to use your microphone and camera.

  • a screen prompt will ask you to provide an initial very short description of the two cybernetic objects, with a maximum of 60 characters.

  1. Explore the Wonder Interface | 3 minutes

  • explore the platform (move your avatar between the different blankets using the mouse/trackpad or the arrow keys)

  • find the chat (individual chat, circles/group chat, global chat)

    explore zooming in and zooming out the Picnic environment via the middle mouse button or the plus and minus signs on the left of the screen, find your blanket - you have free choice.

  1. Get into a Communication Circle and Meet your Blanket Mates | 3 minutes

  • move your avatar close to other participants to create a circle of communication. You can do this by using the arrow keys or by clicking on the desired destination and keeping the mouse/trackpad button pressed.

  • a blanket can have several circles of communication but we recommend that all participants be in the same circle.

  • once you are in the same circle of communication (defined by participants proximity) the discussion tools will appear and you will be able to see, hear and chat with all the participants in the circle.

  • in the circle, you can chat, share screens, speak to each other, and see each other on video.

  1. In Your Communication Circle | 7 minutes

  • with your circle mates choose a way to document your conversations, the documentation format and application: for example, note-taking in a text editor; video recording, sound bites, presentation, illustration, etc.

  1. Cybernetic Conversations with your Circle Mates | 45 minutes

  • describe how and why your objects are cybernetic objects and why you have chosen to come to this blanket.

  • as a group, you can define the characteristics of your chosen blanket.

  • note that you can see the two cybernetic objects that each participant is bringing to the picnic by placing the cursor over the participant’s circle. You can also click on participants to see all the participants in your communication circle and blanket.

  • together stitch and transition your cybernetic objects’ stories to create one collaborative cybernetic object to represent your blanket.

  • make sure to document your conversations. This can be done in writing, video, sound bites, presentation, illustrations, etc. Each circle will be asked to present the collaborative cybernetic object in the next step.

  • choose one or two circle mates to present your circle’s collaborative cybernetic object and its story.

  1. Cybernetic Conversations with All Mates | 45 minutes:

  • each circle’s presenters present their circle’s collaborative cybernetic object (time will be defined once we know how many circles are in the cybernetic picnic conversation).

  • presenters need to be prepared to explain and defend the relevance of their final cybernetic object.

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