Gordon Pask PDFs & Other Resources — Conversation Theory (original) (raw)

Cover image: Gordon Pask.

Pask Collection

COLLOQUY 2018 Project by Paul Pangaro & TJ McLeish


Videos about Gordon Pask & Conversation Theory by Paul Pangaro


See especially Gordon Pask on Video

Texts about Gordon Pask by Paul Pangaro


Review Papers by Gordon Pask/Relatively Accessible


Details of Pask's cybernetic machines, Musicolour and Colloquy of Mobiles

“[A Comment, A Case History, and a Plan](pask/Pask Cybernetic Serendipity Musicolour and Colloquy of Mobiles.pdf)”, in Cybernetic Serendipity, J. Reichardt, (Ed.), Rapp and Carroll, 1970. Reprinted in Cybernetics, Art and Ideas, Reichardt, J., (Ed.) Studio Vista, London, 1971, 76-99.

Review of Pask's approach to conversation, its embodiment and representation

“[The Limits of Togetherness](pask/pask limits of togetherness.pdf)”, Proceedings, Invited Keynote address to IFIP, World Congress in Tokyo and Melbourne, Editor, S. Lavington. Amsterdam, New York, Oxford: North holland Pub. Co., 1980, 999-1012.

On the nature of goal-directed systems (Heinz von Foerster's favorite Pask paper)

“[The meaning of cybernetics in the behavioural sciences](pask/pask meaning of cybernetics in behavioural sciences.pdf)”, reprinted in Progress of Cybernetics, edited by J. Rose, 1969.

Critique of Computer-Aided Instruction from 1972, still valid today

“[Anti-Hodmanship: a Report on the State and Prospects of CAI](pask/pask anti-hodmanship computer-aided-instruction.pdf)”, in Programmed Learning and Educational Technology, Volume 9, No. 5, September 1972, p.235-244.

Foundational reading on Pask's approach to learning

“[Conversational Techniques in the Study and Practice of Education](pask/pask conversational techniques in edu -r.pdf)”, in British Journal of Educational Psychology, Volume 46, I, 1976, 12-25.

Continuation of prior paper, about distinguishing different types of learning

Styles and Strategies of Learning”, in British Journal of Educational Psychology, Vol 46, II, 128-148, 1976.

Later review by Pask of his approach to learning and teaching

“[Learning Strategies, Teaching Strategies, and Conceptual or Learning Style](pask/pask-in-schmeck on learning-styles.pdf)”, in Schmeck, R. (Ed.), Learning Strategies and Learning Styles, Plenum Publishing Corp., New York, 1988.

For a general audience, Pask on anthropological applications in the here-and-now

“[Conversation and Support](pask/pask conversation and support 1987.pdf)”, Inaugural Address presented 30 November 1987 on the occasion of assuming responsibility as guest professor in General Andragological Sciences.

Critique of social science

“[Against Conferences](pask/pask against conferences + sop science.pdf)” or “The Poverty of Reduction in Sop-Science and Pop-Systems”, Proceedings, Silver Anniversary International Meeting of Society for General Systems Research, London, August 1979, Washington: SGSR, xii-xxv.

In-Depth Papers by Pask/Requiring more investment


Thorough review of Conversation Theory

“[Developments in Conversation Theory—Part 1](pask/Pask Developments In Conversation Theory Part Ir.pdf)”, in International Journal of Man-Machine Studies [now International Journal of Human-Computer Studies] 13, 357-411, 1980

Concise description of applications of Conversation Theory and its protologic, Lp

“[Developments in Conversation Theory: Actual and Potential Applications](pask/pask developments in conversation theory actual and potential applications.pdf)”, International Congress on Applied Systems Research and Cybernetics, Acapulco, Mexico, December 1980

Formal view of Conversation Theory construed as an architecture of conversation

“[Artificial Intelligence: A Preface and a Theory](pask/pask aspects of machine intelligence.pdf)”, published as introduction to chapter entitled “Aspects of Machine Intelligence” in Soft Architecture Machines, edited by Nicholas Negroponte, MIT Press, 1976. (See also a simpler description of the framework.)

Review of Pask's knowledge representation scheme called “entailment meshes”

“[An Essay on the Kinetics of Language, Behavior and Thought](pask/pask essay on kinetics of language.pdf)”, Proceedings, Silver Anniversary International Meeting of Society for General Systems Research, London, August 1979, Washington: SGSR, 111-128.

A theory of consciousness and its mechanisms

“[Consciousness](pask/pask consciousness journal of cybernetics 1979.pdf)”, Proceedings 4th European Meeting on Cybernetics and System research, Linz, Austria, March 1978, in Journal of Cybernetics, Washington: Hemisphere, 1980, 211-258.

Further elaboration of the topic of previous paper

[“Organisational Closure of Potentially Conscious Systems](pask/pask organizational closure conscious systems.pdf)”, Proceedings NATO Congress on Applied General Systems Research, Recent Developments and Trends, Binghamton, New York 1977; and Realities Conference, EST Foundation, San Fransisco 1977. Reprinted in Autopoiesis, Editor, M. Zelany. New York: North Holland Elsevier.

Cybernetics of interaction, precursor to interaction models of Conversation Theory

“[Comments on the Cybernetics of Ethical, Psychological and Sociological Systems](pask/pask comments-cyber-ethical-social-psychological-systems.pdf)”, in Progress in Bio-Cybernetics, Volume 3 (Norbert Weiner Memorial Volume), J.P.Shade (ed.). Elsevier Press, 1966, p.158-250.

Early views on interactive media experiences based on a cybernetic model

Proposals for a Cybernetic Theatre”, privately circulated monograph (System Research Ltd and Theatre Workshop), 1964.

Cybernetic view of the process of design, including commentary on Musicolour

“[The conception of a shape and the evolution of a design](pask/pask conception of shape and evolution of design.pdf)”, conference on Design Methods, September 1962, J. C. Jones and D. G. Thornley, editors. London: Pergamon Press 1963.

Cellular automata as basis for simulated evolution

“[A proposed evolutionary model](pask/pask proposed evolutionary model.pdf)”, reprinted in Principles of Self-Organisation, H. von Foerster and G. Zopf, editors. London: Pergamon Press, 1961.

Mathematics of self-organizing networks including electro-chemical threads

"The Natural History of Networks", reprinted in Self-Organizing Systems, M. C. Yovits and S. Cameron, editors. London: Pergamon Press, 1960.

Early paper on chemical computing

“[Physical Analogues to the Growth of a Concept](pask/pask physical-analogues-to-growth-of-a-concept.pdf)”, reprinted in Mechanisation of Thought Processes, A. Uttley (ed.). London: HMSO, 1959, p.877-922.

Pask's Books/Maximum Investment