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As shorthand, when the phenomena are suitably simple, words such as equilibrium and stability are of great value and convenience. Nevertheless, it should be always borne in mind that they are mere shorthand, and that the phenomena will not always have the simplicity that these words presuppose.

— W. Ross Ashby An Introduction to Cybernetics (1956)

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More quotes by W. Ross Ashby

Further, as every law of nature implies the existence of an invariant, it follows that every law of nature is a constraint.

An Introduction to Cybernetics (1956)

Cybernetics treats not things but ways of behaving.

An Introduction to Cybernetics (1956)

The concept of "variety" [is] inseparable from that of "information."

An Introduction to Cybernetics (1956)

When a constraint exists advantage can usually be taken of it.

An Introduction to Cybernetics (1956)

Such a system is “self-organizing” in the sense that it changes from “parts separated” to “parts joined.”

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Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: W. Ross Ashby (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.