Cliff Joslyn

Mathematician, Cognitive Scientist, and Cybernetician

Cliff Joslyn is an American scientist known for his contributions to applied mathematics, systems science, and information theory. He is the Chief Scientist for Knowledge Sciences at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and has a long-standing interest in understanding complex systems and cyberinfrastructure. Joslyn's work spans formal concept analysis, fuzzy set theory, and bioinformatics, where he applies advanced data science techniques to tackle diverse problems in biology, engineering, and national security. He earned his Ph.D. in Systems Science from SUNY Binghamton, where he developed a theoretical foundation for his interdisciplinary approach. As an advocate for complex systems science, he has contributed to advancements in artificial intelligence and the management of large-scale data, aiming to enhance human understanding of interconnected systems across fields.

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Date

February 1, 1990

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Article

Word Count

2,392

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≈ 13 minutes

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The Cybernetic Manifesto

Turchin and Joslyn’s manifesto imagines humanity’s next evolutionary leap: just as cells once united to form complex organisms, they foresee humans merging into “super-beings” through direct neural connections, achieving a form of technological immortality. They argue that evolution’s new frontier isn’t biological, but rather conscious and creative, driven by human will instead of natural selection. While not everyone will choose this path of integration, they suggest it’s those who do who will ultimately explore the cosmos.

Mentioned in 3 documents

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Valentin Turchin

A Dialogue on Metasystem Transition

Valentin Turchin explores the theory of metasystem transitions through a conversational approach, examining how new layers of control emerge when individual systems combine into a larger, integrated system. These transitions, Turchin argues, are the key moments in evolution—like stepping stones in both biological and cultural development. By viewing evolution as a series of these transformative quanta, he reflects on past evolutionary leaps and speculates on what they could reveal about the future path of universal evolution.

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Francis Heylighen

Conceptions of a Global Brain

Imagine a giant, intelligent brain made of humanity and its computers—the Global Brain. This idea blends views of society as a living organism, a universal encyclopedia, and an emerging higher consciousness. Global networks like the Internet not only share information but also learn and adapt together. By combining insights from evolution and cybernetics, we can overcome conflicts and build a collective intelligence that makes solving world problems more efficient and creative.

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Francis Heylighen and Marta Lenartowicz

The Global Brain as a Model of the Future Information Society

The Global Brain paradigm views the emerging global information network connecting humans and technology as a nervous system for Earth's social superorganism. This special issue surveys opportunities and challenges in developing this potentially more intelligent, synergetic system. Contributions explore political, economic, and philosophical aspects, aiming to guide the transition towards a sustainable society empowering diversity.