How does cybernetics connect control and communication in animals and machines?

Cybernetics, defined by mathematician Norbert Wiener as the science of control and communication in the animal and the machine, bridges the gap between biological and mechanical systems through the principle of feedback.1

In both animals and machines, control is achieved by monitoring a system's performance against a desired standard and adjusting its behavior accordingly. This process relies on the flow of information:1
* In animals: The nervous system acts as a controller, receiving sensory data (such as visual input) to guide physical actions, like reaching for an object.1
* In machines: A controller—often a computer—processes input signals to modify the system's output, ensuring it remains aligned with its intended function.12

By treating these systems as analogous, cybernetics allows for the mathematical modeling of regulatory pathways. This framework enables machines to be designed with the capacity to audit their own performance, reducing errors and entropy in a manner similar to how living organisms process information to maintain stability.34