#! Computer Generated Poetry | Nick Montfort | Talks at Google

TL;DR

Nick Montfort presents a collection of short computer programs that generate poetry, showcasing the intersection of technology and language.

Transcript

MALE SPEAKER: Welcome to Talks at Google in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This morning, I'm excited to introduce Nick Montfort, Associate Professor of Digital Media at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. There, he directs The Trope Tank research lab, studying literary generators and computational art. For over a decade, he served on the board of... Read More

Key Insights

• 👨‍💻 Nick Montfort's collection of poems and their corresponding source code in "#!" showcases the intersection of technology and language.
• 💻 The ppg256 series explores the creation of poetry through concise computer programs that generate poetic language.
• 💨 Computational poetry offers a unique way of exploring language, form, and the creative potential of technology.
• 💭 Short programs can offer meaningful and thought-provoking experiences, prompting further exploration and remixing by other writers and artists.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does "Round" compute the digits of pi?

"Round" uses a spigot algorithm to calculate each digit of pi, representing them with corresponding words instead of numerals.

Q: What is the purpose of "Taroko Gorge"?

"Taroko Gorge" is a poetic language generator that mimics the experience of being in a beautiful natural place, using a combination of path lines, view lines, and cave lines.

Q: How does the code in "#!" relate to the poetry it generates?

The code in "#!" is concise and focused on creating specific poetic language patterns, exploring concepts of language and form rather than personal expression.

Q: Are the programs in "#!" and ppg256 open-source?

Yes, all the code in "#!" and ppg256 is licensed as ISC, making it freely available for others to use and modify.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Nick Montfort shares his latest book, "#!", which features computer-generated poems and their corresponding source code.

• He reads poems from his book, including "Round" and "Taroko Gorge," showcasing the use of computation in poetry.

• Montfort explains the concept behind his ppg256 series, which are very short Perl programs designed to generate poetic language.