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September 8 (an exceptional first Tuesday of the month before classes start) is the 143rd meeting for Systems Thinking Ontario. This will be a hybrid session. The registration will be at https://guild.host/events/cybernetics-in-the-annex-tbara6
Cybernetics in the Annex: Celebrating Stafford Beer’s Centenary + Summer Conferences Recap
Cybernetics in the Annex: Celebrating Stafford Beer’s Centenary + Summer Conferences Recap
In this session, Dr. Allenna Leonard celebrates the centenary of managerial cybernetics pioneer Stafford Beer. We’ll explore the lasting impact of his Viable System Model (VSM) and Team Syntegrity on complex organizational design. The session will also reflect on Beer’s deep local ties to Toronto, where he lived in the Seaton Village (West Annex) neighbourhood and actively shaped the systems community in Ontario and beyond.
We will also open the discussion for people to share their recaps of systems-related and adjacent conferences such as International Society for Systems Sciences, American Society for Cybernetics, Anticipation Conference, and others.
Discussant(s)
Discussant(s)
Dr. Allenna Leonard is a cybernetician, author, and organizational consultant. She worked closely with Stafford Beer as his life and professional partner from 1981 until his passing in 2002. A past president of both the American Society for Cybernetics and the International Society for the Systems Sciences, her work focuses on democratic dialogue and practical applications of the Viable System Model and Team Syntegrity. She is currently based in Toronto.
The session will be moderated by Zaid Khan, a systemic designer and graduate of OCADU's Strategic Foresight & Innovation Program (2020).
Registration & Virtual Link
Registration & Virtual Link
Tuesday, September 8, 2026 6:30pm to 8:15pm.
Registration is available at: https://guild.host/events/cybernetics-in-the-annex-tbara6
For those attending virtually, you will receive a Microsoft Teams invite/virtual link before the session.
Suggested pre-readings / audio / video
Suggested pre-readings / audio / video
Leonard, A. (1999). A viable system model: Consideration of knowledge management. Journal of Knowledge Management Practice, 1(1). https://perso.liris.cnrs.fr/alain.mille/enseignements/Ecole_Centrale/Consideration_of_knowledge_management.pdf
Beer, S. (1974). Designing freedom (1973 CBC Massey Lectures). Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. https://www.cbc.ca/radio/ideas/the-1973-cbc-massey-lectures-designing-freedom-1.2946819
99% Invisible. (2016, August 23). Project Cybersyn [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ge1HpwPCOhA
Beer, S., & Liverpool John Moores University. (1994). The history & origins of cybernetics: Part 1 [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCGGnFPYWZI
Agenda
Agenda
Post-meeting artifacts
Post-meeting artifacts
Bloggers are encouraged to write about their learning and experiences at the meeting. Links will be added to this page.
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