Predictive Processing And Perceptual Control
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Follows up on
↳ Book Review: Surfing Uncertainty — Book review · Sep 2017
Follow-up reading
↳ Translating Predictive Coding Into Perceptual Control — extends the PP↔PCT equivalence · Mar 2019
Summary
Connects Clark's predictive processing (Surfing Uncertainty) to William Powers' 1973 Perceptual Control Theory. Scott's point: PP's 'action as the control of perception' -- movement as the brain fulfilling strong proprioceptive predictions -- is exactly Powers' PCT (set-points = predictions; layered control systems where upper layers dictate what lower layers should perceive). PCT presaged PP, best at the lower (motor) levels, and PP improves on PCT's weakest part (its strained high-level 'controlling for communism/love'). Powers deserves an Epicurus-style 'ahead of its time' award.
Why this score
Quality 71 · Strong. A sharp, idea-dense connection (PCT as a precursor to PP, accurate at low levels, diverging at high ones), but short and somewhat inside-baseball. Strong.
Claude’s paradigm shift 48 · Moderate. Moderate. A fresh synthesis linking the two frameworks, though Clark himself nods to Powers.
Real-world impact 2 · Minor. A sharp, idea-dense connection identifying Powers's 1973 Perceptual Control Theory as a precursor to predictive processing (accurate at low/motor levels, diverging at high ones; 'action as the control of perception'). Conceptual influence within a niche, short and inside-baseball, no material change — low RWI.