OuLiBot

Idea

Shocked by how Google uses all this data and uses it for their algorithms -> I want to question that
A chatbot as an alternative interface to the text
How is knowledge built and mediated in the age of machine learning?
Questioning the authoritative dimension of databases

How it works

The bot will try to convince you to write a poem. Otherwise, you will be caught in the ASCII loop of inspiration. If you agree writing a poem the bot will give you constraints and advice what you have to do. This is based on the method of Exquisite Corpse. (Constraint is the structure)

Structures

The bot chooses randomly on which structure the user has to write the poem.

POSSIBLE STRUCTURES:

ADJECTIVE NOUN ADVERB VERB ADJECTIVE NOUN
PRONOUN VERB NOUN
ADJECTIVE NOUN VERB NOUN

Why a chatbot?

Idea of having a dialog with a person -> inspiring
- Orality & writing
experiment: different approach / interface
Can ask different questions
more personal
question: Does it feel more controllable / more transparent?

The chat

Chat Poem

ASCII Loop of inspiration

Published on Twitter

Creating a poem in collaboration with a chatbot

Based on the idea of exquisite corpse
in a alternate interplay the bot and the user give words based on a given structure
- like ADJECTIVE NOUN ADVERB VERB ADJECTIVE NOUN

Code

The Code is accessible on git.xpub.nl

https://git.xpub.nl/OuNuPo-make/log.html

make dirs
make ocr/output.txt
make oulibot

References

Literary games with Steve https://pad.pzimediadesign.nl/p/rw-rm-10-01-2018

Exquisite Corpse http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/breton-eluard-hugo-exquisite-corpse-t12005

Uncreative Writing - Goldsmith

User:Alexander Roidl/chatbook

Contents