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9781913743321

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Stafford Beer commented 'I wish people would read my books'. I do hope people will read this one. Rooted in the timeline of his developing thinking, Robin Asby introduces and explains core concepts in systems thinking, cybernetics and, in particular the Viable System Model to great effect. He elaborates that model, its conception and rationale elegantly and with great clarity. The ideas of this book are challenging to conventional thinking, the language as complex as is necessary but not more so, and the philosophical shift required to realise the benefits is well indicated. For those new to the subject Robin offers an accessible, clearly articulated and well executed introduction to thinking in the field. For those familiar with the core material he offers a range of insights which create scope for conversation and the potential to provoke discussion and debate. It is rare to find such scope in one book! This work deserves shelf space from all those serious about exploring the world through the lens of cybernetics. Dr. John Beckford, President, The Cybernetics Society and Visiting Professor at University College London and Loughborough University, UK

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Robin Asby started his career with a degree in Mathematics from Cambridge University (1965), and a PhD from London University in 1968 in Mathematical Physics which formulated the basic modelling of a focused laser beam. Subsequently he moved to the University of Rochester, NY and began research in optics and electrodynamics. As a result of his experiences in the USA, when he returned to the United Kingdom in 1970, he became a political activist in the Labour Party. Moving to West Wales he spent 16 years training teachers and became familiar with the theory and practice of learning. In the early 1980s he came across the systems thinking of Stafford Beer, and introduced systems thinking into his teaching. In 1994 he co-founded a new business department in a higher education college with courses designed from a systemic standpoint. From 1998 to 2006 he worked as a consultant in conjunction with Hull University mentoring senior and middle managers in the Middle East, Far East, and UK as they developed their understanding and use of systemic management theories in their own organisations. In 2001 he became an Open University tutor, then a contributor to the development of systems thinking courses. He chaired the development of the Open University MSc 'Systems Thinking in Practice'. He was a joint author of one of the courses in this degree.

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