The speed and transformative power of human cultural evolution is evident
from the change it has wrought on our planet. This chapter proposes a human
computation program aimed at (1) distinguishing algorithmic from
non-algorithmic components of cultural evolution, (2) computationally modeling
the algorithmic components, and amassing human solutions to the non-algorithmic
(generally, creative) components, and (3) combining them to develop
human-machine hybrids with previously unforeseen computational power that can
be used to solve real problems. Drawing on recent insights into the origins of
evolutionary processes from biology and complexity theory, human minds are
modeled as self-organizing, interacting, autopoietic networks that evolve
through a Lamarckian (non-Darwinian) process of communal exchange. Existing
computational models as well as directions for future research are discussed.Comment: 13 pages Gabora, L. (2013). Cultural evolution as distributed human
computation. In P. Michelucci (Ed.) Handbook of Human Computation. Berlin:
Springe