Helmsmen and Heroes: Control Theory as a Key to Past and Future

by William Gosling

Why do we admire sportsmen and artists rather than salesmen and lawyers? Why are we attracted to strong political leaders, where flexible responsive leadership is demonstrably more effective? This book looks at the range of questions that can be examined via control theory. This is a layperson's introduction to control theory, explaining how control affects politics and economics as well as the more obvious fields of science and technology.

228 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 1995

Reviews

[Charles Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starting off with an overview of Control Theory, explaining open and closed control loops, negative and positive feedback, the author then goes on to show its relevance to everyday concerns, including politics, consumer product cycles, and scientific research paradigms (well, everyday if you're a scientist).

Always erudite and frequently very amusing, this is an excellent book.