1.
First-order cybernetics is the science of observed systems; Second-order cybernetics is the science of observing systems.
Heinz von Foerster
2.
Hard sciences are successful because they deal with the soft problems; soft sciences are struggling because they deal with the hard problems.
Heinz von Foerster
3.
Objectivity is the delusion that observations could be made without an observer.
Heinz von Foerster
4.
If you desire to see, learn how to act.
Heinz von Foerster
5.
Act always so as to increase the number of choices
Heinz von Foerster
6.
Objectivity is a subject's delusion that observing can be done without him.
Heinz von Foerster
7.
What we need now is the description of the "describer" or, in other words, we need a theory of the observer.
Heinz von Foerster
8.
Cybernetics is NOT the banana.
Heinz von Foerster
9.
Something that cannot be explained cannot be seen.
Heinz von Foerster
10.
The environment as we perceive it is our invention.
Heinz von Foerster
11.
Should one name one central concept, a first principle, of cybernetics, it would be circularity.
Heinz von Foerster
12.
Either Stone Age man was a technological wizard, who carefully removed his technological achievements so as not to upset his inferior progeny, or our population dwindled from a once astronomical size to the mere three billions of today.
Heinz von Foerster
