20070205
The internal plasticity of memory which 'distributed' models suggest is one of the most curious and characteristic features of human memory, and one which clearly differentiates our cognitive systems from the 'memories' of current digital computers. It's useful for the contents of the files stored on my computer to remain exactly the same from the moment I close them at night to the time I open them again in the morning. But various kinds of reorganization and realignment often happen to the information retained in my brain over the same period. In us, memories do not naturally sit still in cold storage.
In connectionist cognitive science, occurrent remembering is the temporary reactivation of a particular pattern or vector across the units of a neural network. This reconstruction is possible because of the conspiring influences of current input and the history of the network, where this history is sedimented in the particular connection weights between units. Memory traces are not stored statically between experience and remembering, but are piled together or 'superposed' in the same set of weights. In fully distributed representation, the same resources or vehicles are thus used to carry many different contents. (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)
3. Memory Structure
3.1 Testing Ground
Two sheets of identical laser scores are manipulated to form a continuous surface, a Testing Ground for the studied organizations (2.1.)
The scored sheets reveal a site-specific mesh that is read as a collection of Material Memory Traces. The traces form fields of different density and induce changing material properties. Areas of higher resolution (smaller polygonal cells) allow for higher degrees of curvature. When exposed to pressures the different areas of pliability reveal topological qualities.
Very few cuts - continuous and along score lines - and very few edges for attachment are needed to provide continuity between the two surfaces. Manipulations are guided by the inherent material properties and follow the Memory Traces. - Work with the material, not against it. At specific moments a surgical intervention opens up new opportunities. Record your operation; write up their sequence and develop a recipe for generating a continuous Testing Ground.
From a tight selection of Site Meshes (two or three) generate several Testing Grounds. Laser score multiple copies of each mesh and build different versions. The Grounds test different organizational models of Collection, Storage, Display and Circulation as they were established in the previous assignment. Some organizational models are augmented to be more responsive and fit to perform on the Testing Ground. Work from your notations 2.1 and allow your alien morphology 2.2 to inform the models.
Resources:
- Barr: Topology
- Francis: A topological Picturebook
- Stanford Encyclopedia: Memory
- Bergson: Matter and Memory (suggested)
.: Jonas 2:00 PM
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