The Problem of Coordination in Movement and Art

Abstract

In this paper, I explore the possibility that the creation of art involves a version of the coordination problem that lies at the center of the ecological approach to movement. Both movement and art require finely coordinated adjustments to a large number of interrelated components, and in most cases, the complexity of this task is such that the solution—the specific coordination that is sought—cannot be formulated beforehand. In addition, I propose that in both movement and art, the process of coordination is guided by a single property, such that the maximization of this property leads to a maximally effective coordination.

Author contributions

Author is sole contributor to all parts and aspects of manuscript.

Disclosures statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 The term ‘alignment problem’ is borrowed from the field of AI, where it refers to the fear that advanced AI systems will deviate from their intended functions in unexpected and potentially catastrophic ways.

2 If my purpose were purely descriptive, I would use ‘effectiveness’ or ‘qualitative vividness’ (Pepper, 1970).