Society as an information and communication technology

“We explore the hypothesis that the social system (society) is not composed of human beings, but by their interactions and communications (Luhmann, 1984). Social order can then be considered as the complex dynamics of the expectations exchanges among us.” (SISN syntegration outcome resolve - Light Blue group, 2001) Notes on rapportage: This report attempts to capture the ideas presented and discussed during the Light Blue group’s Spring Seminar presented by Dr. Loet Leydesdorff (15Feb2002). They are not intended as a chronological summary of the presentation, but rather aim to (re)present key themes identified by the rapporteur and felt to be of transferable general interest to the whole Systems and Information Society Network. This reporting process may in fact be seen as another example of the communication process as suggested by Luhmann; consisting of information, utterance and understanding. My notes here reflect my utterance of a personal understanding of the meanings intended within our February seminar. I hope that Loet and the other attendees will find some resonance with their own interpretations , and that where this is not the case the difference itself may create some useful further discussion