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Computer DJ Uses Biofeedback to Mix

srand writes "So some scientists at HP developed this AI to mix new music tracks for dancers based on biofeedback from the clubbers. The clubbers are each given a heart monitor, which sends information to the DJ through a wireless link. The DJ itself mixes music using genetic algorithms to find the tracks the audience likes best. The tracks are the "genes", and feedback from the audience determines the fitness levels of the genes." I still think generative music has a lot of potential, although I'd love an intermediate step where some sort of biofeedback picked MP3s based on your mood.

4 of 217 comments (clear)

  1. Sounds like a good idea... by Flakeloaf · · Score: 4, Offtopic

    ...but if some of the dancers are on ecstasy you might want to take steps to protect your subwoofer :)

    --

    Am I the only one who heard Roxette to sing "I'm gonna get blitzed for some sex"?

  2. VJ by godless · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    BTW

    Anyone has recommendations on good VJ software?

    I've seen good stuff around there, mainly from Japan.

  3. The Ontological Argument: an alternative history. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    It's a little known fact that "Ontological Argument" was in fact a much loved part of that medieval panel game "I'm Sorry I Haven't A Creed" which was billed as "the antidote to ecumenical councils, in which four Church Fathers are given silly things to do by the chairman, Gerbert of Aurillac". In the "Ontological Argument" round, each contestant in turn would say something gnomic like "God is that than which there is no greater" or "existence is more perfect than non-existence" until at some point one of them would say "And thus God exists!", at which point the audience would cheer and clap and the round would be over. Supposedly "variations" of the game existed, with unexplained extra rules such as reverse straddling or pillar saints being wild.

    Another popular round was "Chain of Causation" (for some reason known as "Cheddar Gorge" in England). This would start with the chairman naming some everyday commonplace such as a turnip or the Black Death, then the first contestant would name something else supposed to have caused it, the second contestant would name something supposed to have caused the first contestant's cause, and so on, with the contestants trying to avoid naming anything which was near enough to a deity or Supreme Being to be deemed the First Cause. When one made that mistake (or the chairman got bored) a hooter would sound and the round was over. There was an especially fine version of it done in Rheims cathedral when the Blessed St Willy managed to say "chasuble" in a silly voice as his cause on three successive turns.

    There was also "Limericks" where the chairman would supply an initial line such as "When St Antony was walking his pig" and the four contestants had to supply a line each to produce a limerick which was humorous but not heretical.

    Other typical rounds were "One Gregorian Chant to the tune of another", "Letters to the Corinthians (expurgated version)" and pairs of contestants playing well known folk airs on shawm and sackbut, or singing alternate words of hymns. It usually ended with the names of late arrivals to a theological convocation.

    At some point in most games the chairman would say "I'll be handing out penances, because penances mean pardons. What do penances mean?" and the audience would shout back "Pardons", at which point the chairman would mutter in an exasperated fashion about cloth-eared audiences.

    The show was finally cancelled by the Puritans, who didn't hold with people enjoying themselves. Such a shame we have nothing like it today.

  4. Electronic music... by dorker · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    is starting to annoy me. Bring back Rock n' Roll.