The pataphysics of creativity: developing a tool for creative search

Abstract

We introduce the idea of a new kind of web search tool that uses the literary and philosophical idea of pataphysics as a conceptual framework in order to return creative results. Pataphysics, the science of exceptions and imaginary solutions, can be directly linked to creativity and is therefore very suitable to guide the transformation from relevant into creative search results. To enable pataphysical algorithms within our system we propose the need for a new type of system architecture. We discuss a component-based software architecture that would allow the flexible integration of the new algorithms at any stage or location and the need for an index suitable to handle patadata, data which have been transformed pataphysically. This tool aims to generate surprising, novel and provocative search results rather than relevant ones, in order to inspire a more creative interaction that has applications in both creative work and learning contexts.

Keywords:

• pataphysics
• creativity
• information retrieval
• creative computing
• component-based software engineering

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Professor Jim Hendler at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for his valuable thoughts on this work.

Notes

1. Although note how the perplexing apostrophe that sometimes appears before the word 'pataphysics undermines too literal an interpretation of this construction. Jarry only ever used the apostrophe on a single occasion, specifying that he did so ‘in order to avoid a simple pun’ (Jarry 1996, 21). What that pun might be has never been fully explained.

2. See http://scratch.mit.edu/.

Additional information

Andrew Hugill is Director of Creative Computing at Bath Spa University. He is a composer and transdisciplinary researcher. He is the author of Pataphysics: A Useless Guide (MIT Press, 2012) and The Digital Musician (Routledge, 2008). He is the former Director of the Institute of Creative Technologies at De Montfort University.

Hongji Yang is Deputy Technical Director of the Software Research Technology Laboratory at De Montfort University. He is a Golden Core Member of IEEE Computer Society. He has been organiser for many international conferences, such as a Programme Co-Chair at IEEE International Conference on Software Maintenance 1999 (ICSM '99) and as the Programme Chair at IEEE Computer Software and Application Conference 2002 (COMPSAC '02). His research interests are software engineering, internet computing and creative computing. He has published intensively in the area of software evolution. He is currently developing a new journal, the International Journal of Creative Computing (IJCrC), to supply a unique forum for scholars to discuss how computing can support creativity.

Fania Raczinski is currently working on her PhD about pataphysical search algorithms, having completed a BSc in computer science (Europe) at the University of Leicester and an MSc in creative technologies from De Montfort University in Leicester. She has interests in written (programming) and spoken (natural) languages, creative computing, Semantic Web, pataphysics, culture and arts.

James Sawle is also working on his PhD and is looking into a new system architecture for search engines. He received his BSc (Hons) in computer science and mathematics from Durham University in 2009 before completing his MSc in software engineering in the Software Technology Research Laboratory at De Montfort University, Leicester. His research interests include IR systems, Semantic Web, computational creativity and pataphysics.