Creative Processes in Computers, Biology and Neuroscience

Introduction
How might our daily interactions with technology change our abilities to create? How much of our creative potential is innate? Although much of this research is in its earliest stages, the questions they are asking may have a profound impact on our problem-solving abilities. This activity aligns with module outcome 1.
Discussion Questions
Prepare for your discussion by reviewing the required readings and videos described in each discussion topic.
Respond to one of the following questions.

1. After reviewing the information in Chapter 8 of Explaining Creativity on artificial mathematicians and artificial writers, viewing works by Aaron (the robot artist) and hearing some EMI music compositions, think of ways that your computer might collaborate with you in being creative. If you view your computer as just a glorified tool, what possibilities might you be missing? Perhaps you already use computer programs to draw, paint, design or write music. Please evaluate how these programs influence your creative process or the products you create.
2. Reflect on the ways your parents encouraged or failed to encourage your creative abilities while you were growing up. If they had not encouraged you, do you think you would be just as creative now? Do you think you would be more creative if you had received more encouragement as a child? Why or why not? How might encouragement enhance the potential for creativity?
3. If you have made extensive use of voice activated software (such as Dragon Naturally Speaking) or prefer to use pen/pencil and paper for most of your written assignments, how is the experience of writing different when you are typing while using word processing software? Evaluate the similarities and differences between using software, handwriting, and speaking in the potential for creativity.
4. Discuss and evaluate some of the ideas found in “Embodied Metaphors and Creative Acts.” In addition, think about when you are in the process of creating something, how do you experience connections between concrete bodily experiences and creative cognition as described in the article on “Embodied Metaphors and Creative Acts?” For example, when you seem to be stuck on some aspect of a problem, how might you consider using movement to enhance your creative problem solving abilities? Would you consider going for a walk? Would you schedule a walking meeting with a colleague as a means of seeking solutions to a problem? How might movement enhance the potential for creativity?

Module 4: Learning & Assessment Activities
During this module you will:
Read:
• Required
o Explaining Creativity (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site. Part II: Individualist Approaches: Chapters 8-10, pages 143-210
 Chapter 8. Computer Simulations of the Creative Process
 Chapter 9. Biology and Creativity
 Chapter 10. Cognitive Neuroscience and Creativity
o Zig Zag (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site.: Choose another chapter, perhaps your next highest score from the Personal Creativity Assessment completed during Module 1.
o Leung, A., Kim, S., Polman, E., Ong, L., Qiu, L. (2011) Embodied Metaphors and Creative “Acts.” (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site. Cornell University ILR School. Retrieved from http://digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu/cgi/viewcontent.
cgi?article=1493&context=articles
View:
• Required
o Listen to some of the songs composed by EMI (Experiments in Musical Intelligence) (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site. at David Cope’s website (discussed in Chapter 8 of Explaining Creativity)
o View images of art by Harold Cohen’s robot, AARON (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site. (discussed in Chapter 8 of Explaining Creativity)
o BBC Explorations: Part 3 Humans and Machines (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site. [Video file, 4:47 min]. AARON is described from 0:48 to 2:04. Closed captions and a transcript are available with the video.
o NOVA Short: “Inside Oliver Sacks’s Brain (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site.,” PBS, taken from the film’s sequence on Dr. Sacks’ brain as it reacts to different pieces of music. [Video file, 4:22 min]
 Transcript of Inside Oliver Sacks’s Brain
Discuss:
• M4D1: Creative Processes in Biology, Technology, and Neuroscience