Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 9.4
Showing where
change can occur to solve the
dual semantic problem
Problem Domain
Names & Organisation
Contexts allows
the use of
rational sets
Social sensitive
feedback
Minimum Program
Computer States (bits)
that there will always be a need for human judgment because what is acceptable
behaviour or performance is a time sensitive and socially dependent notion. The
requirement to encapsulate a wide range and ever changing perceptions of a problem
domain will be the need for a continuous link with human activity. Such perceptions
cannot be predicted and hence planed for in advance. Thus many of the current
principles of design will have to be shelved, and two distinct design paths must be
forged that involve the two independent elements of a program: the formal rational
and the informal irrational (Fig.
9.4
).
The challenge is this: can we construct computing based upon:
•
family resemblance rather than sets,
•
paradigms rather than concepts,
•
metaphor rather than deduction?
Can we devise systems that have judgment rather than decisions? One possibility is
that we might be able to write dynamic, socially sensitive interfacing-compilers that
can match any program to any user (see Fig.
9.4
).
Such a compiler would be in 'conversation' with its user, other users and machines
via (say) the Internet, absorbing human cultures and language so that its generated
semantic and semiotic mappings made a program usable by a person. This might
provide a more natural communication between people and machines; it may identify
what is really meant by common sense.
9.6
A Science of Mechanisms
The original idea behind the grand challenge in 2005 (see Chap
.
8) was to provide
a series of challenges that would be represented by non-classical computing. It was
a hope that such explorations would produce computational engines that somehow
would avoid some of the limitations found in the current crop of computers. It was
noted during the meeting that many of these difficulties would either identify:
the existence of irrational sets
or
