I Learn to Diffuse, or Data Alchemy 101: a Mnemonic Manifesto

08/08/2022

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by   Victor Schetinger, et al.

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In this manifesto, we put forward the idea of data alchemy as a narrative device to discuss storytelling and transdisciplinarity in visualization. We use text-to-image generative art mainly based on Disco Diffusion (DD) to develop the concept, and structure our argument in ten propositions, as if they were ten issues of a comic novel on data alchemy: Ad Disco Diffusionem. To follow the argument, the reader must immerse themselves in our miro board, and navigate a multimedia semiotic topology that includes comics, videos, code demos, and ergotic literature in a true alchemic sense. Our colorful, sometimes poetic exposition should not distract the reader from the seriousness of the ideas discussed, but ultimately it is about the journey.