Computers and the Cybernetic Society, Second Edition examines the impact of computers on the cybernetic society and covers topics such as expert systems, management applications, and office automation. The idea of a computer program is considered, along with data banks and the movement and storage of information. Advances in computer technology are also discussed.Comprised of nine chapters, this book begins with an assessment of the interaction between computer developments and social pressures. The interplay between the exciting possibilities of computer networking and the social implications of computer technology is highlighted by focusing on planning networks and public information networks. The next two chapters provide a basic understanding of computers and programming by describing key concepts such as computer graphics, networks, microcomputers, and program design. The next five chapters give a comprehensive overview of the impact of computers on the cybernetic society. The final chapter explains how hardware works and describes the circuitry that computers use to execute a program at the level of machine-language instructions.This monograph is intended for both students and instructors in the fields of computer science and cybernetics.

1 Social Issues in the Cybernetic Society Introduction The Computer Revolution The Design of Social Systems in a Free Society Networks in National and International Politics Public-Information Networks Summary Glossary Words Exercises Suggestions for Further Reading2 About Computers and Programs 2.1 The Idea of a Program Programming a Simple Robot Programs in Perspective A Digital Wristwatch Bugs and Learning A Walk through the Computer Center Summary Glossary Words Exercises Suggestions for Further Reading 2.2 Moving and Storing Information The Shape of a Computer System Coding Payroll Job Summary Glossary Words Exercises Suggestions for Further Reading 2.3 Translators, Operating Systems, and Time-Sharing Translators Operating Systems Time-Sharing Summary Glossary Words Exercises Suggestions for Further Reading3 Advances in Computer Technology 3.1 Graphics and Networks Computer Graphics The Squiral Nebula Computer Networks Computer Conferencing Summary Glossary Words Exercises Suggestions for Further Reading 3.2 The Shrinking Machine and Personal Computers Hardware Trends and Microcomputers New Uses for Microcomputers The Shrinking Machine Summary Glossary Words Exercises Suggestions for Further Reading 3.3 Writing and Rewriting Large Programs Large Programs Top-Down Design Programming Teams Program Validation Rewriting Summary Glossary Words Exercises Suggestions for Further Reading4 The Rise of the Data Bank 4.1 Data-Base Management A Data Base for Airline Reservations The Problem of Security Summary Glossary Words Exercises Suggestions for Further Reading 4.2 Computers, Cash, and Crime The Checkless Society A Sampler of Computer Crimes Summary Glossary Words Exercises Suggestions for Further Reading 4.3 Data Banks and Privacy The Need to Control Data Banks The Privacy Act of 1974 Implications and Developments Summary Glossary Words Exercises Suggestions for Further Reading5 Artificial and Natural Intelligence 5.1 Brains, Minds, and Computers An Overview of the Brain Cooperative Computation Control of Movement Sight Brain Technology Mind and Mechanism Summary Glossary Words Exercises Suggestions for Further Reading 5.2 Robotics and Planning Scene Analysis Planning Recursion Summary Glossary Words Exercises Suggestions for Further Reading 5.3 Natural Language Understanding and Expert Systems Syntax and Semantics Talking about the Blocks World Speech Understanding Expert Systems Summary Glossary Words Exercises Suggestions for Further Reading6 Simulating Complex systems 6.1 The Idea of Simulation The State of a System Negative Feedback Summary Glossary Words Exercises Suggestions for Further Reading 6.2 Prey and Predators Isolated Species Putting the Species Together Solving the Problem Summary Glossary Words Exercises Suggestions for Further Reading 6.3 Management Simulation Fundamentals of Systems Dynamics The Compound-Interest Model The Inventory Management Model Summary Glossary Words Exercises Suggestions for Further Reading 6.4 World Simulation Garbage In/Garbage Out The Limits to Growth A Regional Approach to Global Planning The Danger of Despair Summary Glossary Words Exercises Suggestions for Further Reading7 Learning and Working 7.1 Computers in Education Drill and Practice CAI Tutorial CAI Dialog-Inquiry CAI The Computer as an Aid to Discovery Summary Glossary Words Exercises Suggestions for Further Reading 7.2 Information Flow in the Cybernetic Society Making the News Responsive Computers and Communication The Computerized Library Summary Glossary Words Exercises Suggestions for Further Reading 7.3 Automation in Industry and the Office The Industrial Revolution From Assembly Line to Automation Automation and the Unions Cars and Computers Office Automation Summary Glossary Words Exercises Suggestions for Further Reading8 Networks and Politics 8.1 Networks for Planning The Idea of a Planning Network Networks for Local Planning Networks for Distributed Planning Summary Glossary Words Exercises Suggestions for Further Reading 8.2 Democracy in the Computer Age What Is Democracy? Decisions Take Time and Knowledge Information Networks Summary Glossary Words Exercises Suggestions for Further Reading 8.3 Computers in War and Peace Guided Missiles Sensor Arrays Some Moral Issues Summary Glossary Words Exercises Suggestions for Further Reading 8.4 A Brain for Planet Earth Grand Aims and Realistic Subgoals The Diversity of Nation-States From Regional Simulations to Global Networks Summary Glossary Words Exercises Suggestions for Further Reading9 Down and Up from Machine Language 9.1 How Hardware Works Instructions and Data in Memory An Instruction Set Getting Information in and out of Memory How the Computer Follows a Program The FETCH Cycle for (109) = ADD 37 The EXECUTE Cycle for ADD 37 The FETCH Cycle for (110) = JMP 114 The EXECUTE Cycle for JMP 114 Summary Glossary Words Exercises Suggestions for Further Reading 9.2 Programming and Compiling Adding 100 Numbers Compiling Summary Glossary Words Exercises Suggestions for Further ReadingGlossaryName IndexSubject Index