Feedback loops are a fundamental structure in first-order cybernetics. Feedback might be thought of along two principal lines:
- Amplifying feedback — like a PA system
- Dampening feedback — like friction
The classic example of a feedback loop is a furnace/thermostat/room assembly, where the furnace heats the room to a specified temperature. When the thermostat senses the room temperature dropping below the specified threshold, it sends an ignition signal to the furnace, causing it to turn on and heat the room. Once the thermostat senses the temperature of the room meeting or exceeding the specified temperature, it sends a shutdown signal to the furnace, causing it to shut off and cease heating the room.
See James Watt, ball governors; James Clerk Maxwell, distinction between governors and moderators.
While two or more people are in a conversation, only the smallest part of the conversation, the listener must actively try to construct meaning from what the speaker is saying. The listener constructs a model in their head, using cues from the conversation to build that model. This can lead to unfortunate misunderstandings if the mental models of the speaker and listener diverge, despite both of them participating in the same conversation. But when people are in the middle of conversations, inconsistencies in shared meaning become apparent and the listener stops and says “Wait a second, what do you mean by… ?” Then the conversationalists can review their assumptions and confirm that their mental models are consistent. The constant feedback from the speaker’s mental model helps the listener understand and align in the conversation loop.
Also feedback in design processes or community conversations…