From: Mark Nuzzolilo (nuzz604@gmail.com)
Date: Tue Nov 03 2009 - 14:23:37 MST
It would depend on MANY variables of course. The point I am trying to get
at is that I have been pondering the possibility of a biofeedback device
which can produce a similar effect, if carefully controlled. The
fundamentals of the psychology behind the "Starving Artist" are more
important than the variables of the experiment itself.
On Tue, Nov 3, 2009 at 8:02 AM, Natasha Vita-More <natasha@natasha.cc>wrote:
> What if the artist does not draw at all? What if s/he creates
> interactive games, programs Ai-robotics, clones cells, or writes theory?
>
> Putting that aside, to answer your question, it seems it would depend on
> the emotional state of the artist and whether s/he works will under
> pressure. Motivation is a meaningful partner when trying to survive. I
> suppose that most folks would improve their skill level to survive - drawing
> (metaphorically) from their knowledge base and bringing forth forgotten
> skills, or ideas, of how others have done it (most artists study the masters
> in undergraduate school and would remember what da Vinci's images looked
> like), and then try to implement that style.
>
> But the myth of "starving artist" is really a bit of a turn-off because it
> suggests that artists are at the mercy of a church, an institution, or a
> patron and not clever enough to build a sound business. The Van Gough
> syndrome has been damaging to the arts because one expects genius to foster
> insanity (not to mention the fact that Van Gough put his chemically-fueled
> paintbrushes in his mouth and thereby actually ate metals - which most
> likely caused or added to his mental confusion).
>
> I'll quickly mention another myth -- that artists have to wait to become
> famous until after they die. Equally as disparaging - so we suffer and die
> and then collectors make their bucks. Thumbs down on this old-world
> nonsense.
>
> Natasha
>
>
> [image: Nlogo1.tif] Natasha Vita-More <http://www.natasha.cc/>
>
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* owner-sl4@sl4.org [mailto:owner-sl4@sl4.org] *On Behalf Of *Mark
> Nuzzolilo
> *Sent:* Tuesday, November 03, 2009 3:15 AM
> *To:* sl4@sl4.org; agi@v2.listbox.com; singularity@v2.listbox.com
> *Subject:* [sl4] The Starving Artist Experiment
>
> Suppose I were to take a willing participant in captivity, who does not
> know how to draw art very well, and deprive him of food for a day or two.
> Thereafter I would put in front of him his favorite food, and tell him that
> unless he draws me a decent picture of something, the food will be given
> away to somebody else. For this thought experiment, I would like you to
> assume that the effects of hunger on the human mind and body are not
> significantly inhibiting in any way his "regular" ability to think or draw.
>
> The question is, will he then draw greatly above his previous skill level?
> What implications does this have for intelligence, and has there been any
> research into intelligence or psychology using this type of approach or
> concept? Keep in mind that there are also other potential motivators other
> than hunger.
>
> Mark Nuzzolilo
>
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