MANIPULATION
Charles François (2004). MANIPULATION, International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics, 2(1): 1999.
| Collection | International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Vol. (num.) | 2(1) |
| ID | ◀ 1999 ▶ |
| Object type | General information, Human sciences |
An action of a system on its environment aiming at changing it in a hopefully favorable way.
Manipulation power increased throughout evolution of living systems. One of the most important effects of sociality has been the collective multiplication (not merely addition) of manipulating power over the environment. This is readily manifest even in insect societies, and also in co-evolutive phenomena.
However, manipulation must remain compatible with the maintenance of environmental fitness and survival value of the system, if it is not to become counterproductive.
The results of socio-technical manipulation applied on any environment should thus be carefully considered and closely monitored.