The Conversation: Feedback Structures, Neurodivergence, and Ways of Knowing

This paper outlines general theoretical implications of feedback systems for framing the interrelated nature of living agents and systems. The model of feedback is identified as forming an ideal conceptual structure for visualizing the sensing, processing, and exchanging of information occurring perpetually, at all scales of life, including within human cognition. Along with the constructs of the Neurodiversity Model, enactive/expanded media, and 4E cognitive theory—embodied, embedded, extended, and enacted mind—this paper presents research with experts across disciplines and discusses the results of over six years of teaching experimental film/video to autistic individuals. It was written at the invitation of PUBLIC Journal for it’s upcoming 59th issue: Interspecies Communication (July 2019).