The Evolution of Communication Systems

Loet Leydesdorff, The Evolution of Communication Systems, Int. J. Systems Research and Information Science 6 (1994) 219-230

19 Pages Posted: 21 Mar 2013

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Loet Leydesdorff

University of Amsterdam - Amsterdam School of Communication Research (ASCoR)

Date Written: March 21, 1994

Abstract

One can study communications by using Shannon's (1948) mathematical theory of communication. In social communications, however, the channels are not "fixed", but themselves subject to change. Communication systems change by communicating information to related communication systems; co-variation among systems if repeated over time, can lead to co-evolution. Conditions for stabilization of higher-order systems are specifiable: segmentation, stratification, differentiation, reflection, and self-organization can be distinguished in terms of developmental stages of increasingly complex networks. In addition to natural and cultural evolution, a condition for the artificial evolution of communication systems can be specified.

Suggested Citation

Leydesdorff, Loet, The Evolution of Communication Systems (March 21, 1994). Loet Leydesdorff, The Evolution of Communication Systems, Int. J. Systems Research and Information Science 6 (1994) 219-230 , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2236680

Loet Leydesdorff (Contact Author)

University of Amsterdam - Amsterdam School of Communication Research (ASCoR) ( email )

PO Box 15793
Amsterdam, 1001 NG
Netherlands

HOME PAGE: http://www.leydesdorff.net

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