#61

I think the term “generative” came in a next historical phase of the term “algorithmic” from different group of people and from different artistic contexts.

From one hand, used by artist willing to differentiate from the more scientific/institutional/avandguard framework (here comes the popularization of Brian Eno’s usage of Koan Pro etc).

On the other hand, “generative” is used as part of algorithmic processes related with artificial life (cellular automata, genetic algorithms, L-systems, autonomous agents and self oranization). It describes various systems that involve some kind of feedback in order to produce the evolution of the form/material of the work of art.

after their broad and vague usage, the terms seems to converge.

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Cybernetic Music/Roland Kayn/Feedback Systems/AI
#62

Thanks @vals and @jasonw22, that’s roughly what I thought. I also read that generative came about around Eno / Koan time, so perhaps differentiating between academic and product areas was the reason…

#63

The term generative is also used in ecology.

#64

This is a vague and obnoxious quest so I apologize if this feels pretentious or esoteric, or I’m in the wrong category. I also know the term “generative” means something different to everyone. Let’s discuss!

I’ve been drawn to things like modular in part for their potential for slowly evolving, generative ambient music. I’m wondering how the phrase “generative ambient” might extend to other areas of my life.

Maybe for example, I’ve been enjoying the iOS app Viridi for how low-maintenance it truly is, while I find most apps in the relaxation or idle categories still too slot-machine game-ified.

(I also have real succulents and a cat in this category, ha.)

Many twitterbots fit this description for me—for example, I created one simulating Conway’s Game of Life at 1 “generation”/hour (It got stuck in an interesting loop years ago, and I left it because I thought that was neat in its own way.)

I’ve even been fermenting ginger beer, and realized this also fits my description, maybe best: something simple that takes preparation, and then develops, noticeably but slowly, only with time.

I know this isn’t a unique sensation: I crave digital objects, things almost like screensavers, yet that take the littlest bit of cultivation. I’m not sure how to search for them, so I’m trying to crowdsource here.

Mold simulations? Pet cellular automata? Aquariums? Bonsai? I open to all sorts of low-maintenance tending that may appeal to llllllllines folks.

(During a pandemic here in the States, these things feel especially moving.)

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#65

https://llllllll.co/t/plants-gardening-etc/10129?u=jasonw22

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#66

I find the concepts that you’re describing super compelling but I don’t have any specific term or familiarity with a particular area of knowledge/discipline that encompasses what you’re describing. Terms that come to mind are “erosion/accretion process” and “meditative growth” even though I just came up with them.

The Rudy Rucker excerpt on gnarl being between predictable and random covers the spatial domain. I imagine that there’s some calculus to describe the function of gradual change over time with a low density temporal/spatial input and a slow changing temporal/spatial output.

My brain is pretty shot right now so take what I said as stream of consciousness word soup. Maybe I don’t know what I’m trying to say, but this is relevant to my interests and I would subscribe to your newsletter.

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#67

A serious undertaking that could have benefited from an editor.

A more accessible and groovy take on the same subject

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#68

Haha I appreciate it—“subscribing to the newsletter” is what I’m already doing browsing lines here. I just bought the Rudy Rucker “gnarly computing” book on a lark :stuck_out_tongue:

Did a senior project on the Wolfram book! Will have to revisit. (I studied computer science but was more into cellular automata than a career in software dev, so it was a gem.) Thank you.

Re: sequencers, I’ve been obsessed with ORCA since I found it, felt like Hundred Rabbits read my mind. Some day I’ll take the Max/MSP and/or Pd plunge.

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#69

I have the Wolfram book. It has lovely illustrations but he’s so full of himself that if he claimed he invented recursion for that purpose I would actually believe it.

I’m going to have to pick up the Rudy Rucker book though. [ edit: just bought it :slight_smile: ] Thanks for the recommendation!

I love ORCA. I haven’t been playing around with it as much as I did when I first learned about it, but it’s one of those projects that plants the seed for so many ideas that I wish had the time, skill, and motivation to implement. Like what if ORCA but on a hex grid or with a physics engine or on the surface of a sphere? What makes it so good though is its simplicity.

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