Preface

Kybernetes

ISSN: 0368-492X

Article publication date: 1 June 2001

204

Keywords

Citation

Rudall, B.H. (2001), "Preface", Kybernetes, Vol. 30 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/k.2001.06730daa.001

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2001, MCB UP Limited


Preface

Prediction science and some related matters

Keywords Cybernetics, Systems, Prediction

We are again pleased to welcome Dr Yi Lin of Slippery Rock University, Pennsylvania, USA as a guest editor of this journal. It will be recalled that Dr Lin produced a special double issue of Kybernetes ("Mystery of nonlinearity and Lorenz's chaos", Vol. 27, No. 6/7, 1998, pp. 605-855), which was much praised, and earned him the Norbert Wiener Kybernetes Award for Excellence, after a nomination by the World Organisation of Systems and Cybernetics (WOSC).

This journal has always been at the forefront of introducing new ideas and innovative studies to the fields of systems and cybernetics. Readers are positively invited to discuss the published work and also to participate in the evolution of new theories and concepts. We encourage the "right to reply" and our short papers, communications and forum sections provide an opportunity to support a published author or, indeed, to offer an alternative viewpoint. For example, the feedback from Dr Lin's last special issue produced, it is estimated, some 1,000 responses from researchers working in the cybernetics and systems communities. We anticipate a similar interest in the subject of this special issue based on prediction science.

Prediction science draws together the results and conclusions obtained in many scientific disciplines and is the true example of the interdisciplinary approach that we believe has become such an integral part of our studies.

In his Introduction, Dr Yi Lin catalogues some of his own personal reasons and motives for developing his interests in these researches and the resulting conclusions that he has reached about scientific theory. He also introduces his fellow authors who have collaborated in producing this work, which is described by him as "an exciting and challenging new journey" and one in which new results have already been derived and original ideas formulated in so many important and varied scientific disciplines.

The patrons, editors and members of the editorial board of this journal are indebted to Dr Yi Lin and his colleagues, not only for presenting this important work to the cybernetics and systems communities, but also for sharing their enthusiasm with us.

B.H. RudallEditor-in-Chief

Related articles