Can we create nature ?
With the advent of computers, people began to ask an important question:
Can an object be explicitly constructed by humans such that it seems to possess intelligence?
In 1950, Alan Turing proposed a way of testing this question now called the Turing Test, or the Imitation Game as he named it. While Turing's question is profound, it can be seen as part of a larger question.
Large scale computational power is driving a profound new wave of technologies and capabilities that Turing could have only imagined.
3D scanning and data collection from the physical world, complex multiphysics simulation and additive manufacturing, are allowing us to construct objects of unprecedented complexity and quality rivaling that of natural systems.
As advanced modeling technologies continue to make significant strides toward ever increasing control over design, manufacturing and creation processes, there is a new question to consider:
Can an object be explicitly designed and fabricated by humans that seems to be naturally grown and/or expresses properties and complexity only found in naturally produced objects?
At the event, 13 of the selected designs were on display, along with 5 natural objects. By visual examination only, participants were asked which items were human made, and which were nature made. Click on each object for more information about the design and designer, included more photos/videos.
The survey results are listed under each design:
The survey results from the 5 natural objects.
