“Love” is a combination of one agent running an “attraction” program and another agent running a program that shuts off the “critical agent” – Marvin Minsky
Googlecode: Open Source Boyfriends
The Open Source Boyfriend Project is an open community which aims to build a module-based code library for creating an evolving, adaptive, modifiable and reconfigurable romantic partner to suit our needs.
We are in the process of building modules of personal characteristics which can be combined and reconfigured accordingly to adapt to our changing tastes.
The project is still in its initial stage, but we are extremely happy to welcome contributions of your own modules.
Currently Developed Modules
All current modules require Adobe Air
The Whimperer Boyfriend Module
User Interaction with The Whimperer Boyfriend Module
The Whimperer bugs the user every 10 to 15 minutes to talk about his own personal problems, whether it is about his deteriorating CPU power or his own ponders about life philosophy. The user can reassure him by hugging him better, nurturing her own instincts of motherly love
The Romantic Boyfriend Module
User Interaction with The Romantic Boyfriend Module
The Romantic picks up flower images and shows them to you every 10 to 15 minutes. You can express whether you like or dislike the flower by saying Thank you or I don’t like it. The Romantic might try to learn from its mistake to evolve and adapt, to present you the perfect flower.
Download Romantic (3.6MB)
The Sadist Boyfriend Module
User Interaction with The Sadist Boyfriend Module
Photography by Hitomi Yoda.
OpenSource Boyfriends was presented at:
‘Cybernetic Love’ presentation at Future Sonic Social Technology Summit, Manchester 2009
‘Cybernetic Love’ presentation at DMY Design Symposium, Berlin 2009
‘Cybernetic Love’ presentation at Pechakucha Berlin 2009
Sputniko!/Critical Design Lecture at Kyoto Zokei University of Arts, Japan 2009