AXON IDEA Processor

AXON Idea Processor

web.singnet.com.sg/~axon2000/

The Axon Idea Processor is developed and distributed by Axon Research.
Axon® is a registered trademark of Axon Research, Singapore.

Chan Bok from AXON Research ® declares :

" Idea Processing is concerned with problems and solutions, questions and answers, unknowns and facts. Thinking arises when you have no solution or answer to a problem or question. You need not think if you already know. The idea behind Axon is to provide an environment that supports thinking. The design is based upon the cognitive sciences, which include psychology, anthropology, linguistics, philosophy, computer science, and neuro-science. "

From the developer:

"The Axon Idea Processor is a 3-D idea visualization tool developed in Prolog--an AI language. Axon operates according to cognitive principles, supports both hierarchical and network architectures, and is object-based. Axon exploits visual attributes such as color, shape, size, and depth. Axon also comes integrated with thinking tools such as a Checklist System, Idea Generator, Text Analyzer, etc. "

The Meat Machine

Everyone has a meat machine - the most complex object in this universe. The brain consists of billions of neurons and thousand times more connecting axons. We recall an idea when a cluster of neurons are activated. The large number of connecting axons are of great importance. The Axon Idea Processor shows connections explicitly, while traditional systems tend to hide relations. For example, in a relational database, the relations are not visible unless you know how to issue an appropriate query. Looking at the brain structure of axons and neurons, one can imagine that new ideas are combinations of existing ones.

The Power of Vision

The visual cortex (or hind-brain) has evolved over 100 million years to become a massively parallel device. In contrast, the logical front-brain has only 1 million years of evolution, dating back to the ape man. Hence our vision is by far the more efficient and powerful of the faculties. For this reason the Idea Processor exploits all the visual attributes such as shape, color, size, depth, position, links, etc. For example, you can use similar shapes or color to associate ideas, and use a larger size to emphasize an important idea.

The Problem with Word Processors

Using a Word Processor (WP) for creative work like writing is not appropriate. Writing involves many simultaneous mental tasks such as setting goals, making deductions, constructing sentences, and correcting grammar. Our inability to cope with too many tasks results in mental blocks or even black-outs. You should instead focus your attention on fewer areas, and at a higher level of abstraction, at least in the beginning. A WP is mainly concerned with how the finished product looks, and focuses on low level tasks such as formatting. Hence WPs are good for formatting or copy typing, after you have completed the draft.

Towards Higher Abstractions

Ideas and diagrams are higher abstractions than words and fonts. The Idea Processor depicts ideas as graphical objects and its relationship as links. You get the Big Picture at all times, and details can be hidden from view. A diagram helps to organize cognitive activities and select approaches to problem solving. A diagram need not be a precise representation of all aspects of the real world. Vagueness helps to distill the generic attributes of the ideas and encourages exploration.

Doing Anything at Anytime

The work of cognitive psychologists suggests that thinking processes occur in no particular sequence. This suggests the concept of Mode-lessness. A mode-less system enables you to perform any task at any time without having to switch modes. Examples of mode-less systems are an aircraft cockpit, a hospital operating theatre, and the brain. In contrast, a traditional Modal system requires you to enter different modes to perform different functions. Using Axon, you can work top-down, bottom-up, and not restricted by fixed procedures. Writing, drawing, organizing, doodling, computing, etc., can be done concurrently without having to switch tools.

Amplifying your Intelligence

Principles for the development of a Complete Mind:
(1) Study the science of art
(2) Study the art of science
(3) Develop your senses - especially learn how to see
(4) Realise that everything connects to everything else
. . . . . Leonardo da Vinci A neuron cluster can fire only when the number of activating axons exceeds a threshold. Otherwise the billions of brain cells remain dormant. Prompting is thus an effective way to improve recall and to amplify your intelligence. The Idea Processor uses Checklists for prompting. Checklists are means of abstracting and transferring knowledge. The Idea Processor comes with a library of Checklists useful in many problems solving situations. There are Checklists on generic actions, product attributes, problem solving steps, noun triggers, etc. For example, a checklist for formulating your goal statement may contain: What do you hope to achieve? What obstacles prevent you from achieving your goal? How you plan to overcome the obstacles? Using Prolog

The Axon Idea Processor is developed entirely in Prolog, an AI language. Prolog is an excellent prototyping language for developing highly abstract systems. Prolog enables the programmer to work at a high conceptual level near to normal precise thought. Prolog rules are fired in the same way as neurons. Prolog is also symbolic, non-deterministic, recursive, and non-procedural, which are useful characteristics for an idea processor. "

(Source : The AXON Website )

Click to subscribe to axon-users

nach oben

Diese Seite drucken