Date: Sun, 26 May 1996 23:03:17 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Re: Waiting for Godel


On Sun, 26 May 1996, Zeynep Tufekcioglu wrote:

> >> But the key idea that Godel's Theorem,
> >> much of Escher's art, and the structure of a certain Bach piece
> >> all share the key idea of self-referencing and that this is a
> >> central issue in artificial intelligence is quite valid.
> >
> >Huh? Please translate the above.

> Escher's art includes examples as a pair of hands drawing itself. Or
> fractal-like formations, in which each small part is composed of smaller
> figures that are exact replicas thereof. Or endless reflections in mirrors.
> (Among other interesting themes, such as impossible dimensional pictures).
> 
> In Bach's music, one often finds a theme that is inverted and repeated, or
> played along, on top of the original.
> 
> Now, for AI, self-referencing is related to becoming conscious of the self.

	I have never read Hofstader's book, but I would like for someone
to explain, if there is an answer, why Bach and Escher's art is relevant
to mathematics, and the development of self-referencing artificial
intelligence? 
						
	Neither the work of Bach and Escher posseses any sort of
intelligence capable of "stepping outside itself." Bach wrote music, and
Escher cut and drew art. How are "Toccata en Fugue" or "Relativity"
capable of "becoming conscious of self?"			
		
	What do they add to the work of Godel? What does AI research have 
to do with M.C. Escher, J.S. Bach, John Coltrane, Skinny Puppy, or any other
"family" of music-art? What has Escher cracked that all the mathematicians
have not? Or is Hofstader's book as worthless as Ralph Dumain emphatically
warned us? Please help..

Kevin
Cols, Oh

									
	




     --- from list marxism2-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu ---