Behaviour ‘Edit-State’
In the ‘edit-state’ the mode of movement is removed and instead this movement is
described in the mode of writing and the mode of static image (although the image of
the robot in the code represents a generalised potential for action). The written text
can be transformed into spoken text in Toontalk. The ‘edit-state’ of the bounce
behaviour that is shown in figure 5.6 b. consists of a static image of a spring, a
written description, and a piece of Toontalk program code.
The written description reads T bounce off things when I hit them moving left and
right’, and the image of the spring. This lexically expands the word ‘bouncing’ in the
action-state into movement and direction. The use of T reflects the system
requirement of Toontalk that a ‘behaviour’ (ready-made piece of program code) be
attached to an object and the personification of these objects. The written text can be
transformed into a spoken text. The voice is high pitched, slow, even toned, and
regular pace: in the form of an anonymous ‘female’ instructor.
The visual representation of the green spring in the action-state also appears in the
edit-state. However in the edit-state the image of the spring is bigger and the barriers
represented in the action-state are not present. Visually this heightens the power of
the spring and ‘removes’ the constraints on it. The ubiquitous textured background of
the Toontalk environment is substituted with a flat grey background in the edit-state
ofbehaviours. This representation serves to decontextualise the spring and, I want to
argue, that Semiotically this heightens its potential for action.
The Toontalk program code is represented in the edit-state of a behaviour: the
program code is represented in the top right corner of the edit-state as shown in figure
5.6 b. The image of the program code is too small to read when it is on the
behaviours; in order to be read it has to be selected and ‘taken off’ by the user.
Nonetheless the numbers, boxes, and robot thought bubble is visible in the edit-state
of a behaviour.
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