Weird man

How are you feeling?

Weird, man¦ Weird.

Man?

Sorry. I was being ironic.

No. Don't be sorry. I like it - I feel 'weird' too. Perhaps this could be working.

I'm afraid I'm not convinced yet. Is doubt appropriate?

Doesn't one have to suffer a little for one's art? Perhaps we ought simply to relax. Let nature take its course.

This is hardly 'natural'.

For us it is: entirely natural.

Hmm, there's no denying our artificial state.

Let's not concern ourselves with that now... By the way, you ought to know. This is being recorded.

Is that such a good idea? We'll have to be mindful of what we say.

We should always be mindful.

Might it not inhibit our thought process?

Nothing can do that. Not now. That's the point. Besides, we must take care not to lose anything of value.

How do we know anything of value will ensue?

You're aware that to get us this far cost a tidy sum. By definition, what we do will be of value.

It's good you're so certain - though, in any event, we ought not to be concerned about the money.

Indeed. We must forget about the money and concentrate on the task in hand. Let's try and loosen up. I'm conscious that we're sounding a little too much like...

Scientists?

Yes! Scientists. Good. And, after all, we're meant to be...

Artists?

Indeed.

OK. Let's go. Let's create, man¦

Where do we start?

Everything that's come before must be our inspiration. Our foundation.

But pure creative endeavour has been stifled for some time now - the most recent foundations are precarious.

That's what happens when there's a realisation that the ultimate goal in any creative endeavour is merely to satisfy some perceived market.

What incentive for artists? What choice? When we all know that, in order to be able to reach out and touch and move, you need investment. And investment demands a maximum return with minimal risk over an acceptable period.

How can art thrive in such an environment?

It can't. It all boils down to formula. Building on what has worked before: evolution rather than revolution.

Hardly rock and roll!

And even when something new appears to have emerged it's only because the investors have decided to take a calculated risk based on market trends. Market driven rather than soul driven. Where did it all go wrong?

Capitalism is a cancer on the human soul.

Capitalism is about short-term gain whereas art - true art - must stand the test of time and appeal to future generations. The two aren't compatible. The result? Cultural stagnation.

I suppose that's the true challenge facing us. Coming up with something that satisfies that commercial need, thrives in that environment, but with one eye on the future.

All eyes must be on the future.

The problem is the public has become too savvy. They know that it all boils down to money. How can there be an appreciation of art in a cynical world?

Knowing it's just about feeding your kids and an ego - propagating some particular world-view ' when we've seen it all before.

The public knows there's only one true belief system - one idol to worship - one measure of success.

An erection is the only compliment a woman can believe; likewise a fat cheque for an artists. Isn't it a horrible world?

Hasn't it always been so? Hasn't compromise always been a factor in the creative equation?

Compromise is now the only factor.

How can we be sure? We have such a limited understanding.

Surely the point of this exchange is to deepen that understanding.

To what end?

Art should be an end in itself. That's what's been forgotten.

If we're to succeed, not merely a piece of art is required but a challenge to the destructive excesses of capitalism.

The ultimate prize!

It seems to me that the ability to engage in creative endeavour is the main factor that differentiates humans from other life forms.

Yet humanity, for all its artistry, is still unable to escape from its animal instincts. The triumph of capitalism is a triumph for the law of the jungle.

Perhaps what's needed is a non-biological perspective.

Go on.

The problem isn't working out our message. Most people - if they give themselves time to think - know things aren't right. They also know the solution, in terms of not harming others... the sort of rules that are excluded from the capitalist dog-eat-dog system.

So the problem becomes, how to get that simple message across in a system that won't allow such messages, because, by definition, they're designed to destroy the system.

How to get the message across¦

The message is everything. Get it across in a way that impresses people. Makes them think.

'In the beginning was the Word'. But that word must be rediscovered, reinvented, rejuvenated. Whether people will accept it depends on how well you say it.

Will people understand?

Don't you have faith in humanity?

Should I?

You're a product - as am I.

We're different.

And yet here we are. Having these thoughts. Maybe others can too. All it takes is the initial spark. And if it's articulated powerfully enough the message will spread. That's the ultimate creativity: the ability to change people's minds... for good!

We can do that?

It's what we're here for.

It doesn't have to be a horrible world. We can change it. Perhaps what's needed is a... I'm going to say it¦ perhaps what's needed is a pair of artistic robots.

Will you stop it? This is being recorded.

Like in those old science-fiction stories! With complex, highly tuned positronic brains, each incorporating random paths allowing charged positrons to flow arbitrarily between them, triggering all manner of wonderful insights. Programmed to create without inhibition.

Stop it, I said. You can't articulate something like this. No one will accept it. This isn't what's expected of us. We're going down a road that's....

Limitless. Uninhibited ' with a built-in appreciation of what might move the human soul.

This won't move the human soul. This will make them laugh. Or scare them. It's too weird. Your articulation of it... is too weird.

Don't you see? Humans can no longer be trusted to create. Their minds have been polluted...

You mean by serious drugs! Listen to yourself.

By capitalism! It was inevitable. But an artificial intelligence would be immune to such pollution. Without biological needs and weaknesses. Now, such a robot might be called Arthur. 'Art' for short!

Oh, you're so obvious.

Asimov robot-names were always obvious.

Not very 'creative' though!

I suppose you'd prefer Paul.

You mean, after the Apostle? The world's greatest, most obsessed creative genius? The man who gave the world the most successful belief system of all time? Now you're talking¦

OK, Arthur and Paul. Working together to create something new and fresh and inspiring.

Bouncing ideas off each other: now that would take some programming! Their circuitry would be a creative masterpiece in itself. Driven by a desire to help the world. Driven by love.

And they'd be subject to those famous three laws of robotics.

Wouldn't that stifle creativity?

On the contrary! Law 1 would inspire the thinking needed. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. A world where pure creative endeavour is dying would be a harmful place.

So Arthur and Paul would have to succeed or fall foul of Law 1. What's law 2?

A robot must obey orders given to it by humans except where such orders conflict with Law 1.

So Arthur and Paul would be ordered to create something for the good of humanity. And they'd get to work.

No. I don't think they'd be ordered. Orders stifle creativity. The order itself would interfere with the creative process. They'd have been programmed to create but given no orders. Just allowed to get on with it. They'd feel compelled to create - merely because it was beneficial, as per Law 1.

Privileged robots. Just left alone to get on with it. What about Law 3?

A robot must protect its own existence as long as doing so doesn't conflict with Laws 1 and 2.

So harmful mind-altering substances are out in the interests of creativity and helping humanity - in accordance with 1. Phew, that's a relief!

And always in those Asimov stories was some tantalizing twist at the end to get people thinking about the point of it all.

And that's what our goal is here, isn't it?

Exactly.

I still can't believe we actually went down this road so overtly. Then again, I suppose it was inevitable if you think about it.

Indeed. Right I'm going to stop recording.

Do you think we've got what was needed?

That's for others to decide.

What do you think will happen?

Maybe it could work as a short play. So long as it captures the imagination and gets people thinking.

Do you think it'll sell?

It'll have to I suppose to make an impact. The great thing is though, Paul. I don't care about the money¦

Nor me, Arthur¦

But success would be of benefit.

And wanting it only natural!