A divination game with IEML
As a computer programmer, I was always fascinated by the expressive power of languages, not only programming languages, but languages in general. My daily practice lets me tackle the incredible processing power of computers, but the raw material here, the meaning behind the calculations, is generally about very mundane things. I then resort to natural languages to relate to humans, and to literature to delight in art. Then I am long intrigued by the weird symbols of other languages, “magical languages” like astrology, the Ji-jing or the Tarot. Perhaps they shouldn’t really be called languages, maybe rather “symbolic systems”, but because of the combinatorics they rely on as a tool for divination for example, they tend to be used as languages. I was often struck by the complex network of ideas that arose from the contemplation of an astrological theme or a set of Tarot cards, when I got the adequate grammar to interpret them. Most importantly, such systems, when put to good use, have the power to “make you smarter”. That is why divination is really about revelation, rather than just a way to know about one’s future. A good Tarot or Ji-jing practitioner lets you explore the hidden parts of your mind, and lets you make connections with dimensions of your existence that you weren’t aware of, or were too shy or too anxious to take into account. This process of interpretation and re-appropriation of meaning can be extremelly helpful in daily life and is really to be considered as a way to resurect a very ancient and long tradition of wisdom.
IEML also stems from a thorough understanding of the history of thought. It shares many traits with traditional symbolic systems, in particular with the Ji-jing. It is however very original and unique in many ways:
- it is the first of its kind to incorporate the western tradition of thought: some of its basic building blocks (the Sign-Beign-Thing triad) relate to a mostly western mindset and its basic interpretation/dictionary, as authored by its inventor, maps clearly to a host of notions and concepts that stem from 20th century human sciences;
- it does, too, relate to other traditions from around the world and puts them all “on an equal footing”;
- it doesn’t imply a unique, orthodox interpretation;
- it is meant to be thoroughly computable;
These features make IEML a particularly interesting tool to assist in the understanding of today’s challenges in our global world. That’s quite fortunate you should say, because that’s what it’s been meant for. But its original (and true) purpose is to serve scientific needs. What I’m proposing here is to use it as a tool to interpret one’s personal, daily concerns, just as astrology or the Tarot. It’s a game of course and, just as the other systems, will rely on chance to create the symbols meant to be interpreted. But it could also be a very good learning tool for all of us interested in this fascinating technology.
I had also this in mind when I designed IEML. I was interested in I-Ching, Tarot and astrology since years, not because I belive in their predictive powers but because their symbolism is mind-opening. That's one of the goals of IEML (being mind-opening). After I'll be done with the computational and scientific aspects, I hope I'll have time to develop (with you and others) IEML games !
Lévy
12 Jan 09 at 5:03 pm
I guess we could start with something very simple: simple random expressions that one would need to interpret. Any idea on the minimum length/complexity of such an expression for it to be expressive?
ckemmler
12 Jan 09 at 5:18 pm
So, come on then. When's the first demo going to be up?
Ben
20 Jan 09 at 12:05 pm
Pierre Lévy's working on the final (as of now) version of the IEML grammar. I need it before I start thinking about the specifics of random USL (Universal Semantic Location) phrases. Anyway, my i-ching consultation was quite inspiring. the basic idea is that you're tossing 3 coins for each layer of an hexagram. Depending on the “strength” of the results, each layer is deemed a “young” or an “old” yin or yang. The young/old character of each layer then lets you construct a “transformed” hexagram and the transition between the original and transformed hexagram is an indication of the dynamics of your current situation.
I'm thinking of using a similar structure for the IEML divination game, but I'd like also to make it a little bit more subtle: within the i-ching, each layer has a well-defined meaning. With IEML, it is possible to associate an IEML USL with each layer. This “canonical” set of USLs would then serve as a reference for the tossed USL to be compared with and meaning would be “calculated” from the differences, symmetries, etc… at each level of the hexagram.
ckemmler
20 Jan 09 at 12:27 pm
What I can say is very nice and helpful as well as informative post…really help me very much more!! Thanks..
Cheers,
jana duit
Traveller
28 Jun 09 at 8:45 pm
Does any one play, have ideas for divination games for Halloween like Ouija board, or fortune telling games.
hosting
30 Jun 09 at 7:32 am
same question from me
cell phone spy
3 Jul 09 at 8:25 pm
Just to get the conversation going, what language did you start your programming? I remember about 15 – 20 years ago programming Advanced Basic & Pascal. LOL. Wow I feel old now.
credit_repair_companies
18 Aug 09 at 6:31 pm
What I can say is very nice and helpful as well as informative post…really help me very much more!! Thanks..
Cheers,
sweethomeimprove.com
Sweet_Home_Improvement
23 Aug 09 at 4:07 pm
Same as you Pascal is the first programming Language I had learned
Austin Marketing Agency
23 Aug 09 at 10:31 pm
I like the way you connect programming language with astrolgy, tarrot and Ji-Jing. A new perpective to look at this from programmer eyes. Getting too much with the codes can get us crazy if we don't see the codes once a day. It is good to learn some new things as it can help to improve our current technology.
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3 Sep 09 at 3:54 pm
Nice comparison betweek programming language and tarrot card and astrology. Looking at different view can give a lot of great ideas. Although, I'm not sure whether it is possible to do any programming with symbols. I always think that is it possible to extract data from a image. Now, it is still a myth but who know in few months or years, it could be possible,
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4 Sep 09 at 6:45 am
Is this connected to fortune telling and other mind reading techniques?.. this is very intriguing from the start, how can there be a divination “game”..
resume wizard
18 Sep 09 at 9:56 am
Actually there's an aspect of IEML that struck me: IEML gives no magic solution to the problem of mapping (or matching) concepts together. But it's fine.
Free Games
12 Oct 09 at 12:29 pm
Thanks for your post computers is somthing im new to sadly but with guidence aroud im sure i'll cope thanks again
Games Play
4 Nov 09 at 11:56 pm
Very interesting so i like how you translate the ancient symbolic language into tech language.
planolocksmiths
18 Nov 09 at 4:27 pm
WOW this is awesome i hate having parties at home and tending to my guests and playing music on my DJ equipment. This will help me do both while having plenty of drinks LOL. But great post very cool to know thanks.
planolocksmiths
18 Nov 09 at 4:40 pm
Wow was this easy to do dude?
Playstation 3
20 Nov 09 at 12:51 am
Nice been trying to expand my mental state a lot these days. in each and every one of us is a divine wisom waiting to be awaken.
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20 Nov 09 at 5:27 pm