Reminiscences and reflections

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a personal view of Professor John Rose. The organisational skill of the late Professor John Rose is illustrated by reminiscences, and his choice of Thales Press as the name of his publishing house is shown to be apposite. An aspect of his “statement of mission” for World Organisation of Systems and Cybernetics and Kybernetes is considered in detail.

Design/methodology/approach

The presentation is partly anecdotal but also serious concerns are expressed about current developments in cybernetics.

Findings

The drive and organisational skill of John Rose will be sadly missed.

Practical implications

Rose's insistence on soundness of approach is important though arguably slightly misdirected. Attention is drawn to an important development in psychophysics of vision.

Originality/value

The reminiscences and views are the author's own.

Citation

Andrew, A.M. (2009), "Reminiscences and reflections", Kybernetes, Vol. 38 No. 1/2, pp. 44-50. https://doi.org/10.1108/03684920910930231