Australia 06
Senior lecturer
University of Sydney
Native Language: English
Scientific Field of Enquiry/Research: Mathematics
6 August 2004
Please note: I have taken leave from my position in mathematics,
and I essentially will not be returning. I am slowly turning myself
into an artist, and I am currently undertaking a master's degree in
music composition, specialising in electronic music and multimedia.
1. How would you describe the project/s you are currently working on to a
non-scientist?
Exploring various algorithmic processes for creating artworks (mostly sound,
starting to work with images).
2. Where, as a scientist, do you see the creativity in your work and/or
life?
I am ceasing to become a scientist and devoting my time to art. Previously
I did see my creativity in aspects of research in mathematics.
3. When you embark on research, do you start with a defined goal or does
the goal emerge through the process?
A bit of both (and this is true for both mathematics and art). I would
have a general idea of what I wanted to look at, but things would change
as I worked on the project.
4. With regard to your research, how would you describe the processes and
outcomes in terms of the concepts 'natural' and 'artificial'?
Hmm. My work in pure mathematics felt as though I was exploring the natural world, though of course there is disagreement about the nature of mathematics. My art work is partly inspired by nature, and I am currently looking at
the literature on so-called "artificial life" for artistic inspiration.
On the other hand is it computer-based, so from one point of view it
is entirely artificial.
5. Where do you gain inspiration and support for your work?
For support: I belong to the loose community of computer musicians in
Australia and New Zealand. Also the Master's programme I am currently in
is a very supportive environment. For inspiration: varies, but the
scientific understanding of nature is important.
6. How are possible applications from your research determined?
My mathematical research was very "pure", with no direct applications, though
it was connected with theoretical computer science.
7. Do you share a language with other scientists (across cultures)? If so,
please describe how this language works.
I take it you don't just mean just the English language (which has become
remarkably dominant in mathematics), but something more metaphorical.
In mathematics, the contributors to my area include Americans, Europeans
and Asians, and it is very much an international enterprise.
In music/sound/art, I'm not sure. Over the last 12 years
I have attended about 6 international conferences on computer music and
related areas. The scientific work at these conferences is reasonably
cross-cultural. Obviously some art has detailed local references and other
art does not. My own has tended to be not very tied to local (Australian)
references.
8. Does your work encompass or involve a possible benefit (tangible or
intangible) to society? If so, how would you describe this benefit to
non-scientists?
I would say my main benefit to society has been through teaching many students
(engineers, scientists, future teachers, and so on). The mathematical
research I was involved in is part of the global work in pure mathematics
which eventually has enormous benefits to society, but in a very
indirect fashion.
9. Would you describe your future world view as pessimistic or optimistic?
Why?
I have a slight leaning towards pessimism, though I'm fairly neutral.
On the pessimistic side, there are obvious instabilities concerned with the
huge populations of India and China and rapid development there. The
natural world is being destroyed at an alarming, and it seems accelerating,
rate. There has been drought where I live for some years, and there
are suggestions that there has been a permanent change to lower rainfall,
due essentially to global warming. One can also worry about fundamentalism
(whether Christian, Islamic, Hindu, Jewish, or whatever),
the U.S.A.'s huge and destructive power, and so forth.
On the optimistic side, scientific and technological advances have
improved many people's lives. The Internet is wonderful, in particular
to Australians a long way away from many parts of the world. There has
been a revolution in attitudes towards the environment, even if action
has been slower to follow. Fundamentalists notwithstanding, in some
parts of the world there seem to be genuine advances towards an
understanding of morality and how life should be lived which is
not based on arbitrary impositions from a religious or political
hierarchy. Also, we did survive the Cold War without a nuclear disaster
(so far).
(sorry about the rant.)
10. Do you believe you share this future world view with other scientists
(in your field) or would you describe this view as personal?
Purely personal.