Second Order Cybernetics: Why and Where to Steer To

Abstract

This is a commentary on Michael Lissack’s two-part article “Understanding is a Design Problem: Cognizing from a Designerly Thinking Perspective.” In response to the two-part article this short commentary argues, among others, that there is no possible 'whole' perspective upon the world but only different perspectives held by different observers. It then discusses some aspects of the relationship between the design process and second-order cybernetics, applying an example of designerly practice to discuss the “double-diamond model” of the design process, and to demonstrate where first-order cybernetics thinking and where second-order cybernetics' thinking might come into play. This is followed by the argument that designers design not purely in their minds and observe changes in the reacting world – but that instead designers also think and design – outside of their minds – with their hands, tools and the materials. The transition between the designing mind and the environment is a fluent one.