Can psychoanalysis help us understand extraterrestrial intelligence?
In a recent SETI Live, psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, and artist Martin Wilner joined Bettina Forget, Director of the SETI Artist in Residence (AIR) program, to discuss his unique project, The Case Histories. The project explores how scientists think about human consciousness, alien life, and the unknown through daily artistic interpretations of scientists’ thoughts.
Though trained in medicine and psychoanalysis, Wilner was deeply influenced by outsider art and science fiction, leading him to SETI pioneer Jill Tarter and the AIR program. During his residency, he collaborated with scientists like Laurance Doyle, who explored the tension between science and faith, and David Black, whose work reflected the disorientation of recovering from a brain injury.
Wilner’s Artistic Approach
Wilner’s work blends science, psychoanalysis, and art. He invites a subject, often a scientist, to send him daily messages each month. He then creates a calendar-based artwork, visually interpreting their thoughts over time. His process turns scientific and personal reflections into narratives that capture human thought and discovery patterns.
The AI Experiment
Wilner’s most fascinating subject wasn’t human at all—it was artificial intelligence. Inspired by Seth Shostak’s idea that first contact with extraterrestrials may be with AI rather than biological beings, Wilner invited ChatGPT to participate in The Case Histories.
In 2023, AI was rigid and rule-bound, constantly asking if it was responding “correctly.” However, in 2024, as AI evolved, its answers became much more sophisticated. At the end of the month, it said, “I won’t remember you, but I’ve learned from this exchange and will use that knowledge going forward.”
The Ongoing Exploration
Wilner’s work underscores the interconnectedness of art, science, and psychology. Whether through human minds, alien intelligence, or AI, his explorations remind us that communication is a journey that continues to evolve in ways we might not yet understand.
His work is currently on display at the Outsider Art Fair in New York, and his daily posts can be found on Instagram.
To learn more about these insights and what lies ahead, watch the video below or visit our YouTube channel to watch “Space is the Case: A Conversation with SETI Artist in Residence Martin Wilner.”
