[Dialogue] Generative Empty Space

[David Dunn]

I thought that many of you would get a kick out of this abstract for a paper
called:

> "Generative semantic clustering in spatial hypertext"
> 
> ABSTRACT
> 
> This paper presents an iterative method for generative semantic clustering of
> related information elements in spatial hypertext documents. The goal is to
> automatically organize them in ways that are meaningful to the user. We
> consider a process in which elements are gradually added to a spatial
> hypertext. The method for generating meaningful layout is based on a
> quantitative model that measures and represents the mutual relatedness between
> each new element and those already in the document. The measurement is based
> on attributes such as metadata, term vectors, user interest expressions, and
> document locations. We call this model relatedness potential, because it
> represents how much the new element is related and thus attracted to existing
> elements as a vector field across the space. Using this field as a gradient
> potential, the new element will be placed near the most attracted elements,
> forming clusters of related elements. The relative magnitude of contribution
> of attributes to relatedness potential can be controlled through an
> interactive interface. Unlike prior clustering methods such as k-means and
> self-organizing-maps, relatedness potential works well in iterative systems,
> in which the collection of elements is not defined a priori. Further, users
> can invoke relatedness potential to re-cluster elements, as they engage in
> on-the-fly provisional acts of direct manipulation reorganization and latching
> of a few most significant elements. A preliminary study indicates that users
> find this method generates spatial hypertext documents that are easier to
> read.

I read that as an astonishingly verbose definition of "gestalting" or most
specifically, "clustering" as practiced by ToP facilititators and others.

:")

David Dunn

PS.
Actually quite interesting, isn't it!

-- 
David Dunn
www.mirrorcommunication.com
david at mirrorcommunication.com
720-314-5991
Skype: dmirror

-- THANKS FOR UPDATING MY EMAIL ADDRESS --