posted on Aug, 18 2011 @ 04:59 PM
Life is very strange sometimes.
Lying exhausted the other night, my mind chose that moment to present me with part of a solution to a problem I set it a few years ago.
You see, around ten years ago some colleagues and I were working on a map of human emotions in order to create an emotion-based AI (artificial
intelligence) for NPCs in computer games...an NPC you could really irritate into holding a grudge for you or one that genuinely was loyal because they
cared for you.
After several years work and good progress, I pulled the plug temporarily because what we had was far too dangerous to release due to its ability to
predict and manipulate emotions, in the wrong minds it could wreak devasting damage. And something was still missing. Despite having discussed
it circumspectly with a few well-placed folks in psychology and related fields, what I exposed was enough for them to urge me strongly to publish what
I had, as from their point of view it was a far better diagnostic/therapuetic tool than what was available and take a chance, I just couldn't take
resposibility for what it might do in flawed form. So I set it as a problem for my subconscious to solve.
I'm a visual/verbal sort of guy, so I have some blind spots that aren't obvious to me, and this turned out to be one of them. But talking that
evening with my bro, who is also partially deaf, an extreme audiophile, and consequently pays vastly more attention to music and audio frequencies
than I do, I realized I've been deaf all these years.
Once that realization hit, I wondered what else I was missing, and realized that in addition to using the HSV color system to denote and display
emotions (Hue being the type of emotion, Saturation the intensity, and Value a measure of whether it was active or passive), there is a strong smell
axis (gender strongly influences this one) that is involved, too.
I wish I were better in audio, I'd understand it better.
In any case my mind plopped me a picture of the original emotion map with three additional axes added representing the audio, odor, and something else
that got blown away under the weight/intensity of the other aspects of the model. In the original model those aspects were subsumed into the physical
characteristics measured, I failed to understand their significance.
Great solution to the problem, but the timing absolutely sucks. Now I have this wonderfully complex multi-dimensional structure stuck in my head that
I need to turn into something tangible that others can understand and I'm busy trying to stay off the street.
Just as soon as I can, though, I'm going to recruit a team (I'm great with the theory parts, but so-so at databasing, the math constructs [I keep
inventing different paths that drive the math guys nuts]to help finish it and publish, because I think I've found a way to make it safe: if enough
people know of it, it can't be easily co-opted and abused by TPTB.
Sorry, I just had to get that down somewhere so I don't lose it...if you don't understand it's ok...it took me years myself. I've been using it to
counsel others pretty effectively the past few years, and helped them to understand themselves better.
Some details I'm willing to share with those who are interested and can understand when I have the time.
As for how we are doing, today we're doing laundry (hurray for clean clothes!), had to return and replace our new cell phone, it died after just a
couple of days, and beginning to think beyond the immediate, though not sure where we'll pass the night, fast running out of cash and must conserve
til my next check in a few days. My brother's doctor said the hell with who the provider is, he wants to see him anyway, and we'll sort it out
later: he's a great doctor. So tomorrow we're off for the city to see him.
It's been a long time since I was last homeless, and much has changed, but I'm re-acquiring the necessary mindsets to survive the immediate dangers
and re-establish. Our goal is to find a new place ASAP, but no later than the 1st of September. I WILL NOT let my brother suffer any more than
I can help.
Again, thanks for the support and advice guys.
Gotta run again.