dataset for preprint "An ancient evolutionary calculus for attention signaling retained on modern music"

An ancient evolutionary calculus for attention signaling retained in modern music

Gregory A. Babbitt¹ and Ernest P. Fokoue²

1.      T.H. Gosnell School of Life Science, Rochester Institute of Technology

2.      School of Mathematical Science, Rochester Institute of Technology

Abstract – The ultimate mechanism(s) underlying the evolution of human music have been the subject of both philosophical thought and scientific study. However, the proximate mechanism of Darwinian fitness signaled through music has not. As popular music and dance functionally aim to hold an observer’s attention, we investigate features in various sounds that might stimulate attentive behavior in an audience. We propose a calculus of attention to moving objects and sound to ascertain their f(x) = location = positional control, f’(x) = energy = change in position, and f”(x) = surprise = change in direction. We developed statistical software to (A) analyze nine features of sound related to acoustic control, energy, and surprise (CES), (B) map dynamic song trajectories within the multivariate space of CES, and (C) measure how stable performances are within this space (i.e. signaling fitness). When musical sounds are compared to animal vocalizations, human speech, and non-biological sounds including noise, we statistically confirm that music maintains the highest stability in the space of CES. This fitness signal related to attention varies across musical genres and is also detected animal calls as well. Attention signaling also differs significantly between experts versus novice musicians, adult versus immature bird songs, and is constrained by musical performance interactions with live audiences as well. We conclude that audiovisual signaling via this calculus of attention to behavioral display reflects the physics of observing bodies in motion, probably originating from selective pressure of intra/interspecific conflicts formed at the Ediacaran-Cambrian boundary, and retained in modern music today.

Lay Summary – Most animals (including humans) pay attention to specific audiovisual stimuli within their environment. Here we explore common features of these stimuli and propose a single mathematical framework (with software) for detecting and measuring attention signaling in the context of sound. We show that musical sounds are exceptionally attractive of our attention and that attention signaling in music probably has ancient evolutionary roots that connect to when early life forms started to evolve swift directed movement and the sensory capacities to detect it.