Peter Blain's Home Page

Peter Blain's Home Page

	By day I'm a freelance software engineer. By night (and between contracts) I pursue my interests in cognitive science. I'm particularly interested in areas such as computer creativity and machine consciousness. As a software engineer, I specialise in Java and RPG (for Unix, Linux & i/OS). Over the last 10 years I've worked for a number of large financial institutions - both here in Australia and in Europe. I'm currently building a house near Hobart, so maybe, one day, I'll get a job at the University of Tasmania - and become a full-time academic.
	My PhD thesis describes a computer model that simulates mental imagery and its role in creativity. The computer model is unusual because it's based on perceptual activity theory and sensorimotor contingency theory. These are theories of mental imagery and perception that don't conform to the usual three-way analogy between minds, brains and computers. They, for example, reject the assumption that mental contents can be equated with internal representations (e.g. neurally instantiated data structures). My thesis argues that the perceptual activity/sensorimotor contingency approach is computationally viable, and that it helps explain the fluidity of human creativity. To download my thesis, right click on the following link and save it to your computer: A Computer Model of Creativity Based on Perceptual Activity Theory.pdf The corresponding source code and output listings are also available.
	More information on perceptual activity theory and sensorimotor contingency theory can be found at the following links: Imagination, Mental Imagery, Consciousness, and Cognition J. Kevin O'Regan - Home Page
	Contact: thepeterblain@yahoo.com