But, basically it is dedicated to the aesthetic and scientific issues that arise from Neurotic, where punk bands perform to 3 giant robots that have been educated in classic punk (fuller description below).

Neurotic clearly references the validity of formalism, enhanced formalism, the emotive properties of music (should they actually exist) and the hardy perennial issue of whether or not humans are just complex machines. Arguments about a distinction between machine and humans that are based on man’s appreciation of ‘beauty’ are clearly under scrutiny here: Neurotic’s robots are ‘controlled’ by neural network programmes designed to mimic the brain’s mirror neurons. Mirror neurons, so it is claimed, govern our empathetic response to the world. So, do the robots empathize with the music? Do they enjoy the music?

In the robots we also see the possibility of a socially value free enjoyment of music – these robots have no heirs and graces, no normative social beliefs that would prohibit the enjoyment of any form of music. They don’t have cultural baggage – is their judgment objective as a result?

Join the debate about whether Neurotic’s robots are developing taste as their preferences develop.

For more information see www.fiddian.com or www.andrewtweedie.de.

Andrew Tweedie (Director of Music, Neurotic)