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This paper is critical of some loose speculations about cybernetics, computers and "systems," especially as to their role in organization and planning. There is a widespread tendency to believe that human and organizational vagaries can be eliminated by some combination of the former techniques. This tendency is encouraged by a bias towards mechanistic and abstract solutions for social problems. Further, there is a failure to properly take into account "natural laws," in the sense of limitations on human and organizational ability, when developing normative models for policy and planning problems. "Viable holistic models," supposedly, should replace human and organizational haphazardness; attention has been devoted to substituting the machine-techniques for the man, rather than concentrating on man-machine interactions, based on selective adaptations to natural laws. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article emphasizes that the computer software is not the single factor that is or will be the most important variable in the long haul to improvement of existing public policymaking. It raises several questions regarding computers' potential to improve decision-making. There are doubts about the future effect of the computer on administrative responsibility, accountability, and responsiveness. The article expresses apprehension about the relevance of contemporary computer education for policymakers in university programs aimed at training the new breed of policy analyst.

The operation of a seven-compartment model is described with respect to flows of Na within and across this system, simulating published results obtained on frog skin. The seven compartments represent: one outside and one inside solution compartment; the subcorneal space; the first reacting cell layer (1. RCL); the remaining cell compartment; the non-, or slowly exchangeable Na compartment; the extracellular space. Assuming reasonable volumes for the epidermal compartments and further chosing, by trial and error, appropriate rate constants, a set of seven simultaneous linear differential equations was solved by the application of the Continuous System Modeling Program (CSMP), using an IBM 1130 computer. Initial conditions for influx, backflux and net flux were taken which correspond to [Na]; [Na]=115 mm. Print-out data were obtained at 0.5-min intervals for 30 min, when steady states were obtained in 13 models studied, varying certain k's thus simulating actions of chemical agents (hormones; drugs). Simulation was achieved with regard to rate of influx, backflux and net flux, steady-state time (30 min), and electrical potentials. In addition, this approach gave detailed information on Na pool sizes and their variations with changes in k's. These results are compared to published data on frog skin and good agreement between operation of skin epidermis and model was found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies in factorial ecology have typically used the principal factor procedure coupled with varimax rotation. Since it can be shown that the results one obtains vary according to the factor and rotation models he employs, and since there is no one "best" way of obtaining initial and derived factor solutions, it is proposed that future research in the area adopt an approach involving the simultaneous use of several different computing algorithms for obtaining initial solutions and both orthogonal and oblique rotation procedures to avoid the possibility that the results one obtains are not method-dependent. Ideally, the factor models employed should differ maximally with respect to the principles upon which they are based. If one finds a given factor regardless of the method he uses, only then can he assert with any confidence that it is not an artifact of his method. Factorial ecologists are often interested in computing "factor scores", but "true" factor scores are not uniquely computable; they can only be estimated. Since the proposed research strategy involves using either a component or an image model, in which the corresponding scores are exact and uniquely computable, the factor score problem is, in a sense, solved. Next it is suggested that, by using orthogonal solutions, factorial ecologists may be overlooking a very important piece of information-the correlation between the factors. There is some reason to believe that this varies from city to city, and may account for the fact that some factors which emerge in studies of Western cities are sometimes not found in cities elsewhere. Some comments are also made on the value of using census tract data, and on the availability of computer programs for different initial and derived factor solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article comments on the article "Computers, Policymaking and Reality," published in this issue of the journal, which in turn attempts to criticize the views of the author on the computers' potential to improve public policy making. The article asserts that unless the public is assisted to higher levels of informedness and influence, governmental legitimacy will decline to the point where long-range programs are not feasible. Tenure in office will be too short; demand by confrontation will be too high.