Agenda

Interview with Dr. Dr. Timon Georg Boehm

1. Please provide a brief outline of your training and scientific activity.
I am a member of the International Nietzsche Research Group and a Fellow at the Stuttgart Research
Centre for Text Studies (University of Stuttgart). After completing my first doctorate in theoretical physics
(University of Geneva) and my second doctorate in philosophy (ETH Zurich), I am now working in the field
of textology. My objective is to develop a new text model (TOPTEXT) that explores semantic structures and
thematic areas in texts using concepts of algebraic topology (together with Prof Dr Clemens Berger,
Université de Côte d'Azur, Dr Damon Mayaffre CNRS, Université de Còte d’Azur, and Prof Dr Claus Zittel,
University of Stuttgart and Ca’Foscari University of Venice).
The TOPTEXT model aims to offer an alternative to quantitative, statistical methods of text analysis that is
orientated towards the process of human reading, writing and understanding in hermeneutic cycles and is
nevertheless mathematically stringent. Temporality, recurrence and contexts are implemented by
modelling sentences through loops (one-dimensional closed paths in semantic spaces), which are related to
each other through further loops. The network thus obtained, a so-called ribbon graph, is embedded in a
two-dimensional topological space which is taken as a semantic space. The hypothesis is that the thematic
areas in texts correspond to the areas of this space obtained by partitioning it through boundary cycles.
Further areas of research: Nietzsche and Spinoza; Cognitive science considerations of theoretical physics
(together with Prof Dr Peter Cheng, University of Sussex); Topological and constellative models of
psychoanalysis (together with Dr Michael Niebler, Zurich)

2. Please state your reasons for choosing Venice and the Department for your research and teaching stay.
Ca’Foscari is an outstanding place for research and, moreover, a place where Digital Humanities are
practised with a true humanistic heritage and background.

3. Have you ever had a research collaboration with the teaching staff of Department of Linguistics and
Comparative Cultural Studies in the past?
I have been doing fruitful and inspiring research for several years in Stuttgart with Prof Dr Claus Zittel who
is simultaneously a member of the Bembolab Laboratory Board of Directors and of the Department of
Linguistics and Comparative Cultural Studies. I now look forward to meeting new colleagues at Ca’Foscari,
exchanging knowledge, and initiating new collaborations.