Catalogue number: SBVC_FALX001
Title: Falcondale Collection Stafford Beer Part 1 The History & Origins of Cybernetics  
Tape number: 1
Description: In this first session, Stafford explains what cybernetics is really about. He tells the story of how it all began by relating extraordinary stories about extraordinary people. The dangers of reductionist thinking are discussed and contrasted with the counter balancing holistic view that provides synergy. Specific attention is given to the distinctive quality of interdisciplinary thinking, to the concept of intrinsic regulation as the whole essence of cybernetics and the answer to why so many social systems fail.
Original format: VHS, held by Liverpool John Moores University, Library Services. 
Date of Digital Transfer: January 2017

Catalogue number: SBVC_FALX002
Title: Falcondale Collection Stafford Beer Part 2 The History and Origins of Cybernetics 
Tape number: 2
Description: Session two continues the story of the development of cybernetics; introducing the key English characters of the 1950s and 1960s when Stafford himself became a key player. It provides a vivid account of what innovative scientists are really like.
Original format: VHS, held by Liverpool John Moores University, Library Services. 
Date of Digital Transfer: January 2017

Catalogue number: SBVC_FALX003
Title: Falcondale Collection Stafford Beer Part 3 Complexity & the Measure of Variety 
Tape number: 3
Description: Session 3 begins with the question of measurement, and how we choose what to measure. The measures that we have are not always relevant, as they are usually based on linear concepts not on systemic ones. Ahsby's definition and use of the word Variety is introduced and used as a measure of complexity. Variety therefore becomes the focus for this session.
Original format: VHS, held by Liverpool John Moores University, Library Services. 
Date of Digital Transfer: January 2017

Catalogue number: SBVC_FALX004
Title: Falcondale Collection Stafford Beer Part 4 Homeostasis & Viability 
Tape number: 4
Description: Session 4 begins with discussion of examples of requisite variety taken from the morning's newspaper articles. Examples include terrorism, the police, fighting inflation, newspapers with declining readership, conflict in Rwanda, and a British Rail strike. The concepts of intrinsic control and homeostat are introduced with illustrations and examples. Stafford encourages the audience to examine the nature of viability systems. 
Original format: VHS, held by Liverpool John Moores University, Library Services. 
Date of Digital Transfer: January 2017

Catalogue number: SBVC_FALX005
Title: Falcondale Collection Stafford Beer Part 5 The Elemental Organisational Unit 
Tape number: 5
Description: The fifth session starts with agreement on the teams who will model the viability of selected activities; these are retailing, education, manufacturing, Welsh parliament and transport. Stafford models Defence as a total system to illustrate how you identify the active components of a viable system. Stafford advocates that managers should be measuring things that would detect instability and using computers to communicate these messages in real time.
Original format: VHS, held by Liverpool John Moores University, Library Services. 
Date of Digital Transfer: January 2017

Catalogue number: SBVC_FALX006
Title: Falcondale Collection Stafford Beer Part 6 The Horizontal and Vertical Variety Balance 
Tape number: 6
Description: The sixth session extends the basic model of management, operations and environment; called System One, to the general case where you have multiple System Ones with their own distinctive focus. Attention switches to the issue of how these need to be connected so that the whole enterprise fulfils its purpose.
Original format: VHS, held by Liverpool John Moores University, Library Services. 
Date of Digital Transfer: January 2017

Catalogue number: SBVC_FALX007
Title: Falcondale Collection Stafford Beer Part 7 the Viable System Model 'The Inside & Now'
Tape number: 7
Description: Session 7 begins with the discussion of how the teams are modelling their System One and organisational recursions. Significant time is used to review this stage of modelling, reflecting the importance of defining a System Ones as they deliver the total system purpose. However, Systems One alone would not be sufficient to account for the total system viability. The remaining types of sub-system, Systems 2,3,4 and 5 are now added to the basic model and related to common management activities such as audits, resource allocation, scheduling, strategy and corporate planning.
Original format: VHS, held by Liverpool John Moores University, Library Services. 
Date of Digital Transfer: January 2017

Catalogue number: SBVC_FALX008
Title: Falcondale Collection Stafford Beer Part 8 The Viable System Model 'The Outside & Then'
Tape number: 8
Description: Having fully specified the 'inside now' session 8 switches to the complementary 'outside and then'. This is represented by the meta-system comprising systems 3,4, and 5. within this, the system3/4 homeostat is highlighted for special attention. Stafford reports that every major business failure that he has come across, is in some way deeply dependent on the failure of this homeostat.
Original format: VHS
Date of Digital Transfer: January 2017

Catalogue number: SBVC_FALX009
Title: Falcondale Collection Stafford Beer Part 9 Syntegration 
Tape number: 9
Description: The final session covers two topics. Firstly, Stafford completes the discussions of viability with reference to the work of Humberto Maturana and the concept autopoiesis which literally translates as 'to make yourself'. The process of autopoietic homeostasis, allows an organisation to maintain its identity whilst experiencing changes in the structure, appearance etc.
Original format: VHS, held by Liverpool John Moores University, Library Services. 
Date of Digital Transfer: January 2017