Re: [-empyre-] Computational Poetics

[Kenneth Newby <knewby@sfu.ca>]

Trevor Wishart, in his book Audible Design, argues that, to paraphrase, 
the truly potent texts of our times are certainly not texts or even 
true scientific theories, but computer programs themselves.  In the 
ability of a software text to actually act on the world it enters the 
domain of the performative.  And, Wishart argues, the potency of the 
software text is assessable being neither mysterious or obfuscating 
authority but an agent who's performance can be experienced and judged 
for success or failure and, consequently, modified to improve our 
expectations.  He refers to this remarkable type of text as an 
Illuminating Manuscript.

I think he overstates his case somewhat but the main point about the 
unique quality of a text that is efficacious stands up well.  The 
computer sans this text is inert matter with no sense of what it might 
do.

Kenneth.