Semester 2, Week 2

Mind Mapping, Jiao Bei Simulator 2

Dissertation – Discussion

Recap of experiments to recontextualise my learnings for the readers and myself, based on my existing research from the literature review.

1. Digital Simulation of the Jiaobei

As a semiotic study, I wanted to recap what I learnt about the elements of signification in digital divination. I started with a mind map to identify the elements that made up the complete interpretation of the jiao bei divination.

  • Jiaobei - Map of Significance

Then, I mapped out the parts that were affected by the digital simulation — image, language, and probability.

  • Jiaobei (Digital) - Map of Significance

Simulating Divinatory Intelligence, Doublethink, Objective Judgements

This experiment has provided a study of what Jean-Pierre Vernant describes as “divinatory intelligence”, which highlights the specific intellectual processes that occur within the participants. Often, divinatory practices aim to reach a resolution through such hermeneutic processes, for “truth-as-unconcealment”. A true simulation of the jiǎo bēi would require the designer to account for all source elements for interpretation embodied in the divinatory objects present. This requires both the designer and the participant to engage in double-thinking: the designer must rationalise the irrational, while the participants — whether consciously or not — suspend their awareness of human manipulation to achieve resolution and meaning-making.

The functions that make these possible are examples of a subjective objective function, in which an objective judgement is made in an otherwise subjective situation. The success of the simulation is thus not only dependent on the ability of the designer to replicate the interpretative elements, but also limited by the participants willingness to accommodate the subjectivity of the objective functions inevitably present in the simulation.

Introduction of Sliders

To illustrate these learnings, I incorporated sliders to make the image and probability interactive for the user. While I recognise it is not the most effective solution, it does allow the participant to question how the changes affect their interpretation of the activity. Perhaps a better description or narrative would help to better convey the message.