[From Fred Nickols (2008.08.22.0713 MDT)]
Some time back there was a piece cited on CSGNet that conveyed a sense of
PCT without actually mentioning it. Bill Powers suggested I write the
author and explore. I did but heard nothing for a long time. She recently
responded. Here's her reply.
Regards,
Fred Nickols
nickols@att.net
www.nickols.us
···
-----Original Message-----
From: Surabhi Gupta [mailto:gupta20s@mtholyoke.edu]
Sent: Friday, August 08, 2008 5:46 AM
To: Fred Nickols
Subject: Re: FW: PCT in creative science
Quoting Fred Nickols <nickols@att.net>:
Dear Ms. Gupta:
I am writing you because I believe you to be the author of a piece that
appeared in Creative Science Quarterly in January of this year. See the
link below...Assuming you are the author, I have a question about the following portion
of the piece you wrote."Now, I can alter my synaptic development to cater to my desires. This
information pertaining to my penchants, functions as a reference level for
a
perceptual control process in my brain. This process can compare the
current
state of affairs with the reference level and generate feedback. This
would
then trigger actions that can bring me closer to my goal. Thus, the wiring
of the brain models a control theory that imparts a sense of purpose to
the
brain's structure and functioning."
The passage above seems clearly related to William Powers' Perceptual
Control Theory (PCT) and I was curious if you are familiar with it. If
you
are not familiar with Powers' work might I ask how you came to think of
concepts such as "perceptual control process" and "reference signal"?Finally, I like the piece you wrote.
Regards,
Fred Nickols
nickels@att.net
Dear Mr. Fred,
I thank you for taking the time to read my story. At the time I wrote
it, I had not read the Perceptual control theory.
During brainstorming, I was thinking about the remarkable abilities of
all child prodigies I had read about. I also remembered the earnest
focus with which I would make drawings as a child. I would imagine my
creation on paper wanted to have all the qualities of my inner
perception of the scene I was drawing... moreover, my perception would
not be confined to my observation, but include accomodate imaginative
touches. Thus by perceptual control of the drawing, I would infuse life
into the forms and colors on paper. I never had formal training in
drawing, however I won competitions and got drawing requests. Along
with my mother's praises, these were inspiring factors that perhaps got
me thinking about peceptual control. I am specially interested in its
parallel to natural theory of evolution (also genetic algorithms).
I thank you for introducing me to PCT. I am honored that you liked my
story. I read your Elpaso model and have come to admire the elegant
simplicity of your ideas. Are you working on PCT? I look forward to
hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Surabhi
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