Jan Overwijk discusses critical systems theory, sociologies of closure and openness, and cybernetic capitalism.
Shownotes
Jan Overwijk at the Frankfurt University Institute for Social Research:
https://www.ifs.uni-frankfurt.de/personendetails/jan-overwijk.html
Jan at the University of Humanistic Studies Utrecht:
Overwijk, J. (2025). Cybernetic Capitalism. A Critical Theory of the Incommunicable. Fordham University Press.
https://www.fordhampress.com/9781531508937/cybernetic-capitalism/
on the website of the distributor outside of North America you can order the book with a 30% discount with the code “FFF24”:
https://www.combinedacademic.co.uk/9781531508937/cybernetic-capitalism/
on Niklas Luhmann:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niklas_Luhmann
Baraldi, C., Corsi, G., & Esposito, E. (2021). Unlocking Luhmann. A Keyword Introduction to Systems Theory. transcript.
https://www.transcript-verlag.de/978-3-8376-5674-9/unlocking-luhmann/
Fischer-Lescano, A. (2011). Critical Systems Theory. Philosophy & Social Criticism, 38(1), 3–23.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0191453711421600
Möller, K., & Siri, J. (2023). Niklas Luhmann and Critical Systems Theory. In: R. Rogowski (Ed.), The Anthem Companion to Niklas Luhmann (pp. 141–154).
on Critical Theory:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_theory
on Cybernetics:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cybernetics
Future Histories explanation video on cybernetics (in German):
https://youtu.be/QBKC9mM8-so?si=64v0OgBKV3xjXvLl
on Humberto Matuarana:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humberto_Maturana
on Francisco Varela:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francisco_Varela
Maturana, H. R., & Varela, F. J. (1992). Tree of Knowledge: The Biological Roots of Human Understanding. Shambhala.
https://uranos.ch/research/references/Maturana1988/maturana-h-1987-tree-of-knowledge-bkmrk.pdf
on Ferdinand de Saussure:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdinand_de_Saussure
on Post-Structuralism:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-structuralism
on the differentiation of society into subsystems:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Differentiation_(sociology)
on Jaques Derrida:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques_Derrida
Bob Jessop on Luhmann and the concept of “ecological dominance”:
Jessop, B. (2010). From Hegemony to Crisis? The Continuing Ecological Dominance of Neoliberalism. In: K. Birch & V. Mykhnenko (Eds.). Rise and Fall of Neoliberalism: The Collapse of an Economic Order? (pp. 171–187). Zed Books.
Popular Podcasts
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The Brothers Ortiz
The Brothers Ortiz is the story of two brothers–both successful, but in very different ways. Gabe Ortiz becomes a third-highest ranking officer in all of Texas while his younger brother Larry climbs the ranks in Puro Tango Blast, a notorious Texas Prison gang. Gabe doesn’t know all the details of his brother’s nefarious dealings, and he’s made a point not to ask, to protect their relationship. But when Larry is murdered during a home invasion in a rented beach house, Gabe has no choice but to look into what happened that night. To solve Larry’s murder, Gabe, and the whole Ortiz family, must ask each other tough questions.