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A report is offered on a May 2-3, 2011 conference in Paris, France on Niklas Luhmann's systems theory and historical records. Topics of presentations given included the difficulty of applying systems theory to history, the difficult vocabulary of systems theory, and the possible application of the theory of evolution to social phenomena.

Abstract: Since the period of adolescence was first identified in the mid nineteenth century, its evolution has, unsurprisingly, lead to the creation of “houses” to accommodate adolescents. Today, each department of France is developing its own respective system. The diversity originates from their founders’ unique perspective and the ideas of how adolescents should be treated. The stake of these houses relies on putting them back into perspective by looking at the history of adolescence and its precursors. In fact, by studying, on the one hand, the confluence of our representations regarding the period of adolescence and, on the other hand, the evolution of our institutions, it is possible to report issues with the adolescent houses of today and deduce what they will be like tomorrow. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]