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Heinz von FoersterAustrian physicist, mathematician
Date of Birth: 13.11.1911
Country:  Austria |
Content:
- Heinz von Foerster: A Life of Science and Cybernetics
- Emigration and Cybernetics Laboratory
- Population Growth and the "Doomsday Equation"
- Positive Feedback Loop and Technological Progress
- Scientific Legacy and Collaboration
Heinz von Foerster: A Life of Science and Cybernetics
Early Life and EducationHeinz von Foerster was born into a family of renowned architects. His grandfather, Emil von Foerster, and great-grandfather, Ludwig Foerstner, left an indelible mark on Austrian architecture. Von Foerster pursued physics at the Technical University of Vienna and the University of Breslau. During this time, he gravitated towards the ideas of the Vienna Circle, particularly Ludwig Wittgenstein.
Emigration and Cybernetics Laboratory
In 1949, von Foerster emigrated to the United States. He joined the University of Illinois, where he founded the Biological Computer Laboratory. This laboratory became a hub for research into the common cybernetic foundations of biological and electronic systems.
Population Growth and the "Doomsday Equation"
Von Foerster's groundbreaking work included the discovery of the hyperbolic law of population growth. His 1960 article, "Doomsday: Friday, November 13, 2026," attracted widespread attention. Using available data, he predicted that if population growth continued at its current rate, the Earth's population would reach infinity on that fateful day. Subsequent research confirmed the general validity of these paradoxical findings.
Positive Feedback Loop and Technological Progress
Von Foerster's research highlighted the role of a non-linear positive feedback loop in the hyperbolic population growth observed until the 1970s. This loop can be described as follows: technological growth expands the carrying capacity of the Earth, leading to population growth; a larger population produces more potential inventors, which accelerates technological growth; and so on.
Scientific Legacy and Collaboration
Von Foerster authored over a hundred scientific publications and edited five volumes of Cybernetics (1949-1953). He maintained close relationships with John von Neumann and Norbert Wiener. Von Foerster was married to Mae von Foerster, who shared his passion for science.
