Heather Dewey-Hagborg
Spurious Memories
I am researching the concept of creativity and experimenting with creative electronic architectures inspired by the human brain.
www.deweyhagborg.com/spurious
I am defining creativity as "the generation of an output which is not explicitly learned". This is a medium independent defintion, allowing a conversation about the relationship between human and non-human creativity to commence.
My thesis draws on two key assumptions:
1. Human creativity is an emergent property of the computational structure of memory.
2. Computation is medium independent.
From here, my project develops as an attempt to create a system of electronic memory which embodies some of the characteristics of human memory underlying creative ability.
Main technological themes:
1. Neural Networks
2. Genetic Algorithms
3. Evolving Hardware
Technological Precedent:
1. Stephen Thaler\'s \"Creativity Machine\"
http://www.imagination-engines.com/
2. George Christos\' spurious memory Hopfield Network models
3. John Antrobus\' neural network models of dreaming
4. R. E. Hoffman\'s neural network model of schizophrenia
Past projects of mine in a similar vein:
1. Netlingua www.deweyhagborg.com/netlingua
My thesis consists of a theoretical component and a computational component. Theory is the backbone; what makes it possible to talk about creativity in humans and machines. Stemming from this are my computational experiments, programs I have written exploring a computational basis for machine creativity.
For the show I will exhibit a live demonstration of the functionality of one or more programs I have written, along with documentation of the inputs and outputs of my system. This will consist of printed images, possibly sound, and a computer display.
Beginning with the idea that machines can have a creative life of their own I have developed a system which begins to make that goal a reality. There is much work left to be done. But I believe my project shows that creative machines are possible, both theoretically and physically. It is my hope that this possibility will be explored by others as well and will be used for purposes beyond profit.
With further development I believe creative machines can offer human beings a perspective on human affairs akin to an alien culture by providing an outsider interpretation of the people, objects and relations that comprise our culture.
If machines are to become creative, not profit-driven innovation engines as in Thaler\'s work, they need to create essentially and purposelessly because their internal structure embodies it and their environment demands it. This will initiate a fundamentally new relationship between humans and their technology and will demand a re-examination of human ontology.
My thesis draws on two key assumptions:
1. Human creativity is an emergent property of the computational structure of memory.
2. Computation is medium independent.
From here, my project develops as an attempt to create a system of electronic memory which embodies some of the characteristics of human memory underlying creative ability.
Main technological themes:
1. Neural Networks
2. Genetic Algorithms
3. Evolving Hardware
Technological Precedent:
1. Stephen Thaler\'s \"Creativity Machine\"
http://www.imagination-engines.com/
2. George Christos\' spurious memory Hopfield Network models
3. John Antrobus\' neural network models of dreaming
4. R. E. Hoffman\'s neural network model of schizophrenia
Past projects of mine in a similar vein:
1. Netlingua www.deweyhagborg.com/netlingua
My thesis consists of a theoretical component and a computational component. Theory is the backbone; what makes it possible to talk about creativity in humans and machines. Stemming from this are my computational experiments, programs I have written exploring a computational basis for machine creativity.
For the show I will exhibit a live demonstration of the functionality of one or more programs I have written, along with documentation of the inputs and outputs of my system. This will consist of printed images, possibly sound, and a computer display.
Beginning with the idea that machines can have a creative life of their own I have developed a system which begins to make that goal a reality. There is much work left to be done. But I believe my project shows that creative machines are possible, both theoretically and physically. It is my hope that this possibility will be explored by others as well and will be used for purposes beyond profit.
With further development I believe creative machines can offer human beings a perspective on human affairs akin to an alien culture by providing an outsider interpretation of the people, objects and relations that comprise our culture.
If machines are to become creative, not profit-driven innovation engines as in Thaler\'s work, they need to create essentially and purposelessly because their internal structure embodies it and their environment demands it. This will initiate a fundamentally new relationship between humans and their technology and will demand a re-examination of human ontology.