Strange Loop

Diffusion as Art Therapy

The capacity to imagine and visualize plays a crucial role in human psychology. Fantasies, dreams, and visions use image as their core language. Imagery plays a fundamental role in psychological healing, via expressive arts, sand play, and other therapeutic modalities. - -In this talk we’ll look at how diffusion models like Stable Diffusion and Midjourney can create new possibilities for therapeutic work with trauma and the unconscious. - -We’ll start with a guided scientific tour of the nervous system. Then we’ll zoom in to look at the role imagery can play in therapeutic work specifically for working with a “freezy” nervous system, when other pathways like language and sensation are offline. Finally we’ll conclude with a case study of using diffusion models in therapeutic practice. ",AI/Machine Learning,Michael,Nagle,"Hi! -I am a researcher and product designer and educator. In my 20s I ran an alternative summer camp and homeschooling center called Camp Kaleidoscope. In my 30s I was a research scientist for the Communications Design Group, working on the precursor to Dynamicland, and later led research at Coda. - -I'm newly passionate about diffusion models, and deeply interested in how they can create novel forms of creative and expressive interaction both for kids and adults!

Michael Nagle

co-founder at Moebius Labs

Hi! -I am a researcher and product designer and educator. In my 20s I ran an alternative summer camp and homeschooling center called Camp Kaleidoscope. In my 30s I was a research scientist for the Communications Design Group, working on the precursor to Dynamicland, and later led research at Coda. - -I'm newly passionate about diffusion models, and deeply interested in how they can create novel forms of creative and expressive interaction both for kids and adults!