Brain-inspired conscious computing architecture

What type of artificial systems will claim to be conscious and will claim to experience qualia? The ability to comment upon physical states of a brain-like dynamical system coupled with its environment seems to be sufficient to make claims. The flow of internal states in such system, guided and limited by associative memory, is similar to the stream of consciousness. Minimal requirements for an artificial system that will claim to be conscious were given in form of specific architecture named articon. Nonverbal discrimination of the working memory states of the articon gives it the ability to experience different qualities of internal states. Analysis of the inner state flows of such a system during typical behavioral process shows that qualia are inseparable from perception and action. The role of consciousness in learning of skills, when conscious information processing is replaced by subconscious, is elucidated. Arguments confirming that phenomenal experience is a result of cognitive processes are presented. Possible philosophical objections based on the Chinese room and other arguments are discussed, but they are insufficient to refute claims articon’s claims. Conditions for genuine understanding that go beyond the Turing test are presented. Articons may fulfill such conditions and in principle the structure of their experiences may be arbitrarily close to human

Enkinaesthetic polyphony: the underpinning for first-order languaging

We contest two claims: (1) that language, understood as the processing of abstract symbolic forms, is an instrument of cognition and rational thought, and (2) that conventional notions of turn-taking, exchange structure, and move analysis, are satisfactory as a basis for theorizing communication between living, feeling agents. We offer an enkinaesthetic theory describing the reciprocal affective neuro-muscular dynamical flows and tensions of co- agential dialogical sense-making relations. This “enkinaesthetic dialogue” is characterised by a preconceptual experientially recursive temporal dynamics forming the deep extended melodies of relationships in time. An understanding of how those relationships work, when we understand and are ourselves understood, when communication falters and conflict arises, will depend on a grasp of our enkinaesthetic intersubjectivity

The Usage and Evaluation of Anthropomorphic Form in Robot Design

There are numerous examples illustrating the application of human shape in everyday products. Usage of anthropomorphic form has long been a basic design strategy, particularly in the design of intelligent service robots. As such, it is desirable to use anthropomorphic form not only in aesthetic design but also in interaction design. Proceeding from how anthropomorphism in various domains has taken effect on human perception, we assumed that anthropomorphic form used in appearance and interaction design of robots enriches the explanation of its function and creates familiarity with robots. From many cases we have found, misused anthropomorphic form lead to user disappointment or negative impressions on the robot. In order to effectively use anthropomorphic form, it is necessary to measure the similarity of an artifact to the human form (humanness), and then evaluate whether the usage of anthropomorphic form fits the artifact. The goal of this study is to propose a general evaluation framework of anthropomorphic form for robot design. We suggest three major steps for framing the evaluation: 'measuring anthropomorphic form in appearance', 'measuring anthropomorphic form in Human-Robot Interaction', and 'evaluation of accordance of two former measurements'. This evaluation process will endow a robot an amount of humanness in their appearance equivalent to an amount of humanness in interaction ability, and then ultimately facilitate user satisfaction. Keywords: Anthropomorphic Form; Anthropomorphism; Human-Robot Interaction; Humanness; Robot Design</p

The Psycho-neurology of Embodiment with Examples from Authentic Movement and Laban Movement Analysis

This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of the following article: Helen Payne, 'The Psycho-neurology of Embodiment with Examples from Authentic Movement and Laban Movement Analysis', American Journal of Dance Therapy, June 2017. Under embargo. Embargo end date: 7 June 2018. The final publication is available at Springer via https://doi.org/10.1007/s10465-017-9256-2.There is widespread agreement that thought is embodied cognition and that our earliest learning is implicit, through the body, and nonverbal expression. This article advances the proposition that the integration of thought and emotion is felt through the body. Embodiment and embodied simulation (ES) (Gallese in Neuropsychoanalysis 13(2):196–200, 2011) represent controversial topics in both the philosophy of mind (Clark in Being there: Putting brain, body, and world together again, MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, 1998) and cognitive neuroscience (Gallagher in Cognitive Syst Res 34–35:35–43, 2015a; Gallagher in Conscious Cogn 36:452–465, 2015b; Gallese & Sinigaglia in J Conscious Stud 18(7–8):117–143, 2011a; Gallese in Philos Trans R Soc B 369(1644):20130177, 2014). As a result of advances in these areas of research, there is a need to re-conceptualize our understanding of the mechanisms and processes involved in dance movement psychotherapy. Could ES be applied to the psychology of movement? This article attempts to apply this theory of embodiment to the practice of Authentic Movement (AM) and Laban Movement Analysis. The theory of ES is proposed as one possible explanation of how the witness in AM comes to know her inner experience in the presence of a mover, which may lead to an “offering” to that mover from the witness’ conscious body (Adler in Offering from the conscious body: The discipline of Authentic Movement, Inner Traditions, Rochester, VT, 2002). Furthermore, there is an examination of how ES connects to the task of movement observation and how meaning is arrived at from the various movement patterns observed.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio

Mapping a multi-sensory identity territory at the early design stage

This article presents a kansei design methodology. It is placed at the very beginning of the design process and aims to influence the following steps in order to improve the user's understanding and experiencing of the designed product. The experimentation combines in a subtle way the design thinking approach of learning by doing and the kansei engineering quantitative approach. The research presented is based on the results of a previous study that defined the semantic and emotional scope of future hybrid cars for European using visual stimuli. This kansei design methodology creates and assesses multi-sensory atmospheres is order to provide tangible direction composed of vision, touch, hearing and smell stimuli. From the cognitive and affective responses of the 42 participants we were able to detail 3 directions for future cars interiors that aim to enrich the styling design briefs and to influence the design strategies such as the management of the different grades. The research presented here was supported by the Kansei Design department from Toyota Motor Europe (TME-KD). This collaboration also brought an industrial context to it.SUPPORTED BY TOYOTA EUROP

Evaluation of consumer perceptions and acceptance of sustainable fashion products made of bacterial cellulose

Due to tremendous contributions of the fashion industry to environmental degradation, novel sustainable materials and practices are becoming increasingly important. The purpose of this research was to investigate consumer perceptions of fashion products made from bacterial cellulose (BC), a novel sustainable material. Research objectives were to: (a) understand how consumers perceive and characterize BC material based on the senses of touch, sight, smell, and hearing; (b) identify areas for material improvement and potential barriers and motivations for consumer acceptance of products made of BC; and (c) evaluate the acceptability of BC, from a consumer perspective, as a novel material for use in fashion products. For the study, BC material was developed through Kombucha fermentation, then used to design a women’s bag. A new comprehensive framework for Fashion Product Evaluation (FPE) was developed, tested and validated. Embedded mixed methods research design was utilized to conduct the study. Focus group discussion was the primary method, and sensory evaluation of the BC material was the embedded method. A three-part holistic sensory evaluation method was developed to examine consumer perceptions of BC material. Six focus group sessions were held to collect data, with 33 female participants in total. Descriptive statistic was used to analyze the sensory evaluation data. Priori and open coding methods were used to analyze the focus group data. BC material was found to be acceptable for fashion accessories (e.g., shoes, bags, belts), but not for clothing. Material texture and novelty were found to be favorable characteristics. Thinness, translucency, unpleasant odor, and skin-like and worn appearance were unfavorable characteristics. Name of the material and lack of consumer knowledge were the barriers for BC adoption, whereas uniqueness, vintage-looking appearance, sustainability, and environmentally- and animal-friendly nature were the motivators. The results present valuable insight for future research directions and further BC improvement. Bio-based materials, such as BC, might help the fashion industry to become less dependent on non-renewable fiber sources and other natural resources and reduce its environmental impact. An important methodological contribution of this study is the new, holistic sensory evaluation method for fashion products, which is the first in the field to consider the all human senses but taste. As new unconventional and often non-textile materials (e.g., BC, smart textiles, sensors, solar cells) are increasingly being incorporated into fashion products, holistic sensory evaluation becomes essential for capturing and evaluating the total range of sensory characteristics of products and fully assessing consumer perceptions, acceptance, and satisfaction. Important theoretical contribution of this study lies in the development of the new FPE framework. FPE is the first framework to integrate apparel evaluative criteria into a unified comprehensive classification system with four mutually exclusive and clearly defined dimensions. It can be useful to researchers and businesses for understanding consumer perceptions and evaluation of products and purchase decision processes as well as identifying and addressing gaps between consumer needs and product attributes

Evaluation of Photography Media and Methods According to the Expressive Therapies Continuum: A Systematic Literature Review

The first successful photography experiments occurred in the early 1800s, and since this time photography has attracted artists, scientists, amateurs, and therapists who wish to enhance the treatment of their clients. Phototherapy was defined and established in the 1970s to refer to a system of 5 interrelated techniques used by any trained therapist or counselor within therapy with the goal of increasing insight and communication. A minimal amount of art therapists have also adopted photography; however, the use of photography in art therapy differs from phototherapy. In art therapy, the creation of artwork occurs within the session and is supported by the art therapist who has training in media and the creative process. A foundational theory in the field of art therapy, the Expressive Therapies Continuum (ETC), is utilized by many art therapists and art therapy programs to evaluate the appropriateness of media for the client. This study aims to bridge the gap in art therapy literature regarding the use of photography in art therapy and photographic media and methods by conceptualizing photography within the context of the ETC. Through a systematic literature review, the definitions and interventions of photo art therapy, the role of media in art therapy, and the ETC components and variables are explored in order to find the level of information processing in which photography is predominant. This study is delimited by its focus on the ETC, and limitations include the amount of found research on the use of photography in art therapy. Implications of this study include the therapeutic effects of photographic media and the need for further research and training with photographic and other untraditional media