GEOCYBERNETICS - CONTROLLING A COMPLEX DYNAMICAL SYSTEM UNDER UNCERTAINTY

Global change, i.e. the mega-process radically transforming the relati onship between nature and human civilization since the end of World Wa r II, is investigated from the point of view of systems analysis. It i s argued that this unbridled process should rather be domesticated by planetary control strategies transpiring from a new science called ''g eocybernetics''. The formal aspects of geocybernetic theory are sketch ed and illustrated in a tutorial theatre world reflecting the overall environment and development problematic. Within this setting a straigh tforward operationalization of the sweeping ''sustainable development' ' ideal through a set of concise paradigms can be achieved. Evidence i s provided that geocybernetics is actually feasible on the basis of ea rth system modelling and fuzzy-control techniques.