The metaphor machine: A database method for creativity support

摘要

This paper shows how a data base method can be applied to the automatic generation of metaphors. The utility of automatic metaphor generation is based on providing interactive support to creative human thinking processes. Such interactive support systems have been called Idea Processing systems, and are seen as special qualitative types of Decision Support Systems (DSS). They include functions to support metaphorical thinking as well as other modes of creative idea development. The paper presents brief backgrounds references on creativity and the relevance of metaphors, as well as to previous work in Idea Processing. It then presents a relational data base method for automatic metaphor generation. The method is described and illustrated, as well as shown in relational algebra and relational calculus notation. In conclusion, the paper indicates how the relational data base method presented can be operationalized through using existing data base software or by integration with a specialized interface for the particular application of metaphor generation.