Structuralism, Attitude and the Computer: Questioning the Notion of "Cultural Computing"

The terms “cultural computing” and “entertainment computing” can be disturbing if looked at from the artists’ point of view. Computing has always been part of the culture of the time, and this was especially true in the decades surrounding the birth of computing, when the structuralist paradigm was dominant in many areas of human endeavour. Perhaps what distinguishes, or should distinguish, “cultural” computing from other types of computing is its attitude: one of playfulness and light-hearted cleverness. This premise is discussed mainly from a musical point-of-view – examples from the computer music literature, including works by the author, are discussed in this context.