# Uncategorized

**URL:** http://discourse.iapct.org/c/uncategorized/1.md

[Latest](http://discourse.iapct.org/latest.md) · [Categories](http://discourse.iapct.org/categories.md) · [Tags](http://discourse.iapct.org/tags.md)

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## [Eliezer Yudkowsky’s explanation of FEP/Active Inference](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/eliezer-yudkowsky-s-explanation-of-fep-active-inference/16213)

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**Author:** [@RichardK](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/RichardK)\
**Replies:** 5\
**Last updated:** [September 14, 2026, 10:08am UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/eliezer-yudkowsky-s-explanation-of-fep-active-inference/16213 "2026-09-14T10:08:21Z")

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Eliezer Yudkowsky’s explanation of FEP/Active Inference: Our incredibly badly designed bodies do insane shit like repurposing superoxide as a metabolic signaling molecule. Our incredibly badly designed brains have some…

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## [PCT and RLHF Failure Modes — sharing a recent paper for discussion](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/pct-and-rlhf-failure-modes-sharing-a-recent-paper-for-discussion/16248)

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**Author:** [@Lukasz20](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/Lukasz20)\
**Replies:** 23\
**Last updated:** [July 17, 2026, 5:22pm UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/pct-and-rlhf-failure-modes-sharing-a-recent-paper-for-discussion/16248 "2026-07-17T17:22:53Z")

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Hello everyone, I’d like to introduce myself properly, having been visible around the edges of this community for a little while now. My name is Łukasz Diener. I’m an independent researcher based in Kraków, Poland, wor…

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## [German translation of Powers — current status and rights contact?](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/german-translation-of-powers-current-status-and-rights-contact/16237)

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**Author:** [@arnesauer](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/arnesauer)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [June 8, 2026, 9:33am UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/german-translation-of-powers-current-status-and-rights-contact/16237 "2026-06-08T09:33:28Z")

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Dear colleagues, I’ve recently joined IAPCT, and I have a question I haven’t been able to settle on my own. As far as I can tell, none of Bill Powers’ books — Behavior: The Control of Perception above all — has ever ap…

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## [Artificial Intelligence as an ultra-processed communication product](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/artificial-intelligence-as-an-ultra-processed-communication-product/16222)

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**Author:** [@Kent](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/Kent)\
**Replies:** 2\
**Last updated:** [March 17, 2026, 8:22pm UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/artificial-intelligence-as-an-ultra-processed-communication-product/16222 "2026-03-17T20:22:51Z")

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Looking in the Discourse search function, I see that 2018 was the last time that anyone posted in this forum about AI, and some things about AI have changed since then. The 2025 IAPCT conference featured a presentation a…

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## [Filoplumes and the importance of perception](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/filoplumes-and-the-importance-of-perception/16218)

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**Author:** [@Kent](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/Kent)\
**Replies:** 8\
**Last updated:** [February 15, 2026, 4:10pm UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/filoplumes-and-the-importance-of-perception/16218 "2026-02-15T16:10:26Z")

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Article on filoplumes in birds Who knew that the some of the specialized feathers of birds are actually perceptual organs? This article from the New York Times describes filoplumes, tiny hairlike feathers found at the b…

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## [Human Nature -- Good or Evil?](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/human-nature-good-or-evil/16186)

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**Author:** [@rsmarken](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/rsmarken)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [July 29, 2025, 9:03pm UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/human-nature-good-or-evil/16186 "2025-07-29T21:03:37Z")

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This was a comment in the NY Times re: the horrendous situation in Gaza: But this is who we are. This is humanity, it’s genetic. We seem to be hardwired to cause pain to each other. Has it been any different over the p…

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## [An old mention of Bill Powers](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/an-old-mention-of-bill-powers/16181)

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**Author:** [@RichardK](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/RichardK)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [June 20, 2025, 4:13pm UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/an-old-mention-of-bill-powers/16181 "2025-06-20T16:13:38Z")

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I was looking for classic textbooks on control theory, and I happened to turn up a surprising mention of Bill Powers’ name. It’s in a discussion from 2007 in the IEEE Control Systems Magazine on “What Is Your Favorite Bo…

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## [The US Presidential Election](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/the-us-presidential-election/16141)

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**Author:** [@rsmarken](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/rsmarken)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [November 9, 2024, 12:41am UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/the-us-presidential-election/16141 "2024-11-09T00:41:04Z")

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Continuing the discussion from Seeking Insights: Applying PCT to Group Dynamics: How about taking a shot at applying PCT to the group dynamics involved in the recent US Presidential election?

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## [Seeking Insights: Applying PCT to Group Dynamics](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/seeking-insights-applying-pct-to-group-dynamics/16135)

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**Author:** [@Niqs](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/Niqs)\
**Replies:** 12\
**Last updated:** [November 3, 2024, 3:44pm UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/seeking-insights-applying-pct-to-group-dynamics/16135 "2024-11-03T15:44:01Z")

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Hi everyone, I’m a designer with over 30 years of experience, currently delving into psychology at the Open University. I’ve been intrigued by Perceptual Control Theory (PCT) and its potential to explain human behavior …

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## [Automatically-generated PCT Podcast](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/automatically-generated-pct-podcast/16128)

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**Author:** [@rogerkmoore](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/rogerkmoore)\
**Replies:** 3\
**Last updated:** [October 7, 2024, 11:46pm UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/automatically-generated-pct-podcast/16128 "2024-10-07T23:46:34Z")

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I used Google’s NotebookLM to generate a podcast from my PCT paper: “Local minima drive communications in cooperative interaction”. All I did was upload my pdf, and the dialogue was generated in ~10 mins - absolutely as…

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## [Martin's diligent gnomes](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/martins-diligent-gnomes/16076)

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**Author:** [@EetuP](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/EetuP)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [September 19, 2023, 4:55pm UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/martins-diligent-gnomes/16076 "2023-09-19T16:55:29Z")

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Hi All, in a message Martin Taylor 2019.04.14.09.50\] (the first \[ seems to be missing) Martin wrote about possible gnomes in RR - as a ridiculous possibility. I think I have seen a more detailed story (where some of the…

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## [Two New Questions from an Old PCTer](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/two-new-questions-from-an-old-pcter/16070)

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**Author:** [@rsmarken](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/rsmarken)\
**Replies:** 6\
**Last updated:** [August 28, 2023, 6:33pm UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/two-new-questions-from-an-old-pcter/16070 "2023-08-28T18:33:02Z")

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This morning it suddenly occurred to me that I hadn’t heard from David Goldstein in some time. So I called him and found that his number is no longer in service. I know that David was quite ill the last time I talked t…

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## [The Irony of Illusion](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/the-irony-of-illusion/16060)

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**Author:** [@rsmarken](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/rsmarken)\
**Replies:** 2\
**Last updated:** [June 23, 2023, 4:39pm UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/the-irony-of-illusion/16060 "2023-06-23T16:39:41Z")

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Last night I watched a PBS Nova show called "Your Brain: Who’s in Control?. I was surprised to see that I knew two of the featured researchers on that show. One was Mike Gazzaniga, who was at UC Santa Barabara when I was…

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## [Bill Powers Birthday](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/bill-powers-birthday/15848)

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**Author:** [@Fred](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/Fred)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [August 29, 2021, 2:09pm UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/bill-powers-birthday/15848 "2021-08-29T14:09:49Z")

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Bill Powers’ birthday is today. Happy Birthday Bill. RIP

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## [Corrections and comments to Rick's The Study of LCS](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/corrections-and-comments-to-ricks-the-study-of-lcs/15843)

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**Author:** [@amatic](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/amatic)\
**Replies:** 10\
**Last updated:** [July 31, 2021, 8:37pm UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/corrections-and-comments-to-ricks-the-study-of-lcs/15843 "2021-07-31T20:37:52Z")

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Lots of mistakes in this overpriced guide from the wannabe leading authority on PCT. I’ll go over and comment the things I feel are not quite correct, or maybe some parts I think are unexpectedly good. I’m writing this a…

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## [Question about Method of Levels in Treatment](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/question-about-method-of-levels-in-treatment/15821)

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**Author:** [@David\_Piper](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/David_Piper)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [June 7, 2021, 12:55am UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/question-about-method-of-levels-in-treatment/15821 "2021-06-07T00:55:41Z")

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Has anyone used MOL to treat alcohol and/or drug addiction? If so, does anyone have information on how it’s effectiveness compares to ACT therapy? I am looking at possible ways PCT can explain or improve current Behavi…

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## [Video of Book Launch for THE STUDY OF LIVING CONTROL SYSTEMS](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/video-of-book-launch-for-the-study-of-living-control-systems/15774)

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**Author:** [@rsmarken](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/rsmarken)\
**Replies:** 13\
**Last updated:** [March 30, 2021, 6:45am UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/video-of-book-launch-for-the-study-of-living-control-systems/15774 "2021-03-30T06:45:44Z")

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Dear all In case you missed or would like to review the Book Launch for THE STUDY OF LIVING CONTROL SYSTEMS, a video of the launch is available here. Also, if you want to get a copy of the book but don’t want to use Am…

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## [Book launch webinar for "The Study of Living Control Systems"](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/book-launch-webinar-for-the-study-of-living-control-systems/15761)

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**Author:** [@rsmarken](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/rsmarken)\
**Replies:** 5\
**Last updated:** [March 15, 2021, 4:37pm UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/book-launch-webinar-for-the-study-of-living-control-systems/15761 "2021-03-15T16:37:37Z")

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A book launch webinar for “The Study of Living Control Systems” by Richard Marken will take place on Tuesday, March 16 at 10am PDT. Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN\_Jinj2iScR0KaSJXregUKKw

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## [PCT in Leadership and Business Management](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/pct-in-leadership-and-business-management/15771)

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**Author:** [@David\_Piper](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/David_Piper)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [March 15, 2021, 2:16am UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/pct-in-leadership-and-business-management/15771 "2021-03-15T02:16:59Z")

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I just recently finished reading Doug Forsell’s book on PCT in Leadership and management. I tried to go to the website purposefulleadership.com and found it no longer exists. Does anyone know where I can get the materi…

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## [Transcript of Chris Meechan interview with Rick Marken](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/transcript-of-chris-meechan-interview-with-rick-marken/15770)

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**Author:** [@rsmarken](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/rsmarken)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [March 14, 2021, 1:48pm UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/transcript-of-chris-meechan-interview-with-rick-marken/15770 "2021-03-14T13:48:34Z")

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Thanks to Twitter (which I rarely use) I rediscovered an interview I had forgotten that I did back in 2012 with Chris Meechan. A transcript of the interview can be found here here. The interview is about the revolutionar…

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## [Gary and Richard's Birthday](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/gary-and-richards-birthday/15762)

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**Author:** [@FredNickols](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/FredNickols)\
**Replies:** 3\
**Last updated:** [February 28, 2021, 8:04pm UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/gary-and-richards-birthday/15762 "2021-02-28T20:04:15Z")

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Gary Cziko and Richard Pfau have birthdays today. Best wishes to them both.

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## [Question about Powers: Making sense of behavior](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/question-about-powers-making-sense-of-behavior/15746)

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**Author:** [@EetuP](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/EetuP)\
**Replies:** 2\
**Last updated:** [January 14, 2021, 3:40pm UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/question-about-powers-making-sense-of-behavior/15746 "2021-01-14T15:40:56Z")

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Hi all, I unfortunately lost my book mentioned in title :cry: If you have it ready to hand would you check the chapter title and pages where Powers talks about experience and says that we experience our nerves instead …

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## [Dispute about the (defunct) 'Science' category](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/dispute-about-the-defunct-science-category/15737)

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**Author:** [@bnhpct](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/bnhpct)\
**Replies:** 9\
**Last updated:** [December 28, 2019, 4:12pm UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/dispute-about-the-defunct-science-category/15737 "2019-12-28T16:12:54Z")

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In the first attempt at establishing categories in discourse.iapct.org there was a Science category. Like all categories, it had an ‘About’ topic describing its scope and purpose. The posts now attached to this topic we…

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## [Tim Carey's Birthday](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/tim-careys-birthday/147)

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**Author:** [@FredNickols](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/FredNickols)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [December 12, 2019, 12:18pm UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/tim-careys-birthday/147 "2019-12-12T12:18:11Z")

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Is today. Happy birthday, Tim.

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## [Dag Forsell's Birthday](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/dag-forsells-birthday/109)

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**Author:** [@FredNickols](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/FredNickols)\
**Replies:** 2\
**Last updated:** [October 2, 2019, 12:55pm UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/dag-forsells-birthday/109 "2019-10-02T12:55:23Z")

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Today is Dag’s birthday. Happy Birthday, Dag.