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> According to the cybernetician, the purpose of a system is what it does. This is a basic dictum. It stands for bald fact, which makes a better starting point
by wizzwizz4 2y ago
> According to the cybernetician, the purpose of a system is what it does. This is a basic dictum. It stands for bald fact, which makes a better starting point in seeking understanding than the familiar attributions of good intention, prejudices about expectations, moral judgment, or sheer ignorance of circumstances.
— Stafford Beer, 2001 (via Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_purpose_of_a_system_is_what_it_does&oldid=1212469205 https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_purpose_of_a_...)
- usefulcat 2y agoI think that's a reasonable and insightful definition, but I don't think that's what most people are likely to think when they read the words I quoted.