During the pandemic, the author was charmed by a British management consultant, Stafford Beer, who led an intriguing life from advising Allende in Chile to innovative economic experiments. The 50th anniversary of Chile’s 1973 Coup has renewed interest in Beer, known for his work on Project Cybersyn. The rise of cybernetic socialism is highlighted in recent literature and a Theory streetwear brand even made a Cybersyn throw rug. Despite initial success, Beer’s radical ideas were met with failure, leading to a tragic end. Beer’s vision for using communication technology to enhance human freedom resonates with modern concerns about technology’s impact on society.
https://kevinmunger.substack.com/p/the-tragedy-of-stafford-beer