Does an architectural object have personality?

While verifying the code for the desktop art sculpture, I noticed that the tiny dancers/aechitectural components seemed to have personalities of their own.

For instance, take a look at this first one.  It’s a Rorschach test of its own:
image

The dancing mannequin has/is what? Climbed a set of stairs like an athletic Fred Astaire tap dancing in a top hat and tails? A social climber? A dreamer reaching for the stars? An astronaut on Mars constructing a new habitation module?

And what about this one?

image

Is the mannequin feeding the artificial flower or the other way around?

And the third example…

image

A dancing stage or a launch platform?

The fourth is even less obvious:

image

Half-built skyscraper or coloured tongue depressors glued together in a preschool class?

And, finally, the last example:

image

Is this a miniature version of sculpture in a metropolitan museum or the model for an upcoming music video production?

It is a robot decinstructed into its components as art — let your imagination run away with the interpretation!

Film analysis du jour

I know I’m surely not the first to notice this but after watching the first few minutes of the film, “Poltergeist,” on the tellie while taking a lunch break, it occurred to me that the whole film might just be an allegory about the side/after effects on young children of recreational drug use by parents in the home.

An art piece takes it first breath

Herewith is the computer software code named “Robot_hacks_Nov_2013”:

/* Desktop art sculpture by Team Tree Trunk, November 2013
(Rick Hill, Janeil Hill and Jennifer Nye)

Created in conjunction with the Robot Hacks event sponsored by
MAKE magazine and GE, 3-20 November 2013.

This project was inspired by the work of Erin Kennedy, aka RobotGrrl.

Once upon a time, there were five photosensitive cells that wanted
to play together.

They were gathered inside a dark rectangular box when they felt
a commotion.

It was a two-eyed entity that called itself an ultrasonic sensor,
telling the five photosensitive cells that ultrasonic sensors are
like the bat or other creature that uses echolocation to describe
its  environment.

The six of them looked up and saw the big shadow and shape of
a giant that had lifted the lid of their box, exposing them to light,
showing them a world they had never seen before, full of odd
shapes and more entities just like themselves.

The giant removed them from the box and attached their legs into
holes that connected to rows of entities already in place, with
names like resistor, wire, LED and a complicated entity called
the Arduino.

The giant then played with them and gave them power.

They were more alive than ever before!

Excitedly, they joined with the wires, resistors, LEDs and Arduino
to move one-armed objects called servos.

Eventually, they left the rows of holes and were glued together
with metal to form a new network of connections inside a
cylindrical box.

The giant told them they were going to become a desktop art sculpture,
a Cubist version of a robot, dissected into its separate parts and put
on display like a Damien Hirst cadaver.

He walked them through a strange language, based on the idea of logic,
that made them more than the sum of their parts…

Five LDRs/photocells and one ultrasonic sensor are pointed outward
in the circular side wall of a hat box.

Each photocell controls the movement of a small analog servo
attached to the lid of the hat box.

The ultrasonic sensor controls the movement of large analog servo
attached to the lid of the hat box, which in turn is connected to
a set of pulleys.

If the distance from an object to the ultrasonic sensor is less than 5,
then all of the servos are returned to their original “zero” position;
otherwise they rotate based on readings from the photocells and ultrasonic sensor.

*/

int photocellPin0 = 0;     // the photocell is connected to a0
int photocellPin1 = 1;     // the photocell is connected to a1
int photocellPin2 = 2;     // the photocell is connected to a2
int photocellPin3 = 3;     // the photocell is connected to a3
int photocellPin4 = 4;     // the photocell is connected to a4
int photocellReading;      // the analog reading from the sensor
int yourDistance;          // the analog reading from the ultrasonic sensor
int servoPosition;         // connect servos to pins D3, D5, D6, D9, D10 and D11

#include <Servo.h>

Servo myservo0;  // create servo object to control a servo on D3
Servo myservo1;  // create servo object to control a servo on D5
Servo myservo2;  // create servo object to control a servo on D6
Servo myservo3;  // create servo object to control a servo on D9
Servo myservo4;  // create servo object to control a servo on D10
Servo myservo5;  // create servo object to control a servo on D11

const int pingPin = 2;

const int closeD = 10; // cm; maximum closest distance – 0 to 10 cm range
const int midD = 20; // cm; maximum hand distance – 10 to 20 cm range
const int farD = 30; // cm; maximum farthest distance – 20 to 30 cm range

int pos = 0;    // variable to store the servo position */

void setup(void) {
myservo0.attach(3);  // attaches the servo 1 on pin 3 to the servo object
myservo1.attach(5);  // attaches the servo 1 on pin 5 to the servo object
myservo2.attach(6);  // attaches the servo 1 on pin 6 to the servo object
myservo3.attach(9);  // attaches the servo 1 on pin 9 to the servo object
myservo4.attach(10);  // attaches the servo 1 on pin 10 to the servo object
myservo5.attach(11);  // attaches the servo 1 on pin 10 to the servo object

// We’ll send debugging information via the Serial monitor
Serial.begin(9600);

}

void loop(void) {
yourDistance = getDistance(pingPin); // cm
yourDistance = constrain(yourDistance, 0, 50);
servoPosition = map(yourDistance, 0, 50, 0, 180);
myservo5.write(servoPosition);
if (yourDistance < 5)
{
myservo0.write(0);
myservo1.write(0);
myservo2.write(0);
myservo3.write(0);
myservo4.write(0);
}
else
{
photocellReading = analogRead(photocellPin0);
Serial.print(“Analog reading 0 = “);
Serial.println(photocellReading);     // the raw analog reading
photocellReading = constrain(photocellReading, 0, 300);
servoPosition = map(photocellReading, 0, 1023, 0, 180);
myservo0.write(servoPosition);

photocellReading = analogRead(photocellPin1);
Serial.print(“Analog reading 1 = “);
Serial.println(photocellReading);     // the raw analog reading
photocellReading = constrain(photocellReading, 0, 300);
servoPosition = map(photocellReading, 0, 300, 0, 180);
myservo1.write(servoPosition);

photocellReading = analogRead(photocellPin2);
Serial.print(“Analog reading 2 = “);
Serial.println(photocellReading);     // the raw analog reading
photocellReading = constrain(photocellReading, 0, 300);
servoPosition = map(photocellReading, 0, 300, 0, 180);
myservo2.write(servoPosition);

photocellReading = analogRead(photocellPin3);
Serial.print(“Analog reading 3 = “);
Serial.println(photocellReading);     // the raw analog reading
photocellReading = constrain(photocellReading, 0, 300);
servoPosition = map(photocellReading, 0, 300, 0, 180);
myservo3.write(servoPosition);

photocellReading = analogRead(photocellPin4);
Serial.print(“Analog reading 4 = “);
Serial.println(photocellReading);     // the raw analog reading
photocellReading = constrain(photocellReading, 0, 300);
servoPosition = map(photocellReading, 0, 300, 0, 180);
myservo4.write(servoPosition);
}

delay(300);
}
/* boolean ping(int pingPin)
//boolean ping(int pingPin, int ledPin1, int ledPin2, int ledPin3)
{
int d = getDistance(pingPin); // cm
boolean pinActivated1 = false;
boolean pinActivated2 = false;
boolean pinActivated3 = false;
if (d < closeD) {
digitalWrite(ledPin1, HIGH);
digitalWrite(ledPin2, LOW);
digitalWrite(ledPin3, LOW);
myservo5.write(180);
pinActivated1 = true;
pinActivated2 = false;
pinActivated3 = false;
} else {
if (d < midD) {
digitalWrite(ledPin1, LOW);
digitalWrite(ledPin2, HIGH);
digitalWrite(ledPin3, LOW);
myservo5.write(90);
pinActivated1 = false;
pinActivated2 = true;
pinActivated3 = false;
}
else {
digitalWrite(ledPin1, LOW);
digitalWrite(ledPin2, LOW);
digitalWrite(ledPin3, HIGH);
myservo5.write(0);
pinActivated1 = false;
pinActivated2 = false;
pinActivated3 = true;
}
}
//  return pinActivated1, pinActivated2, pinActivated3;
return pingPin;
} */

int getDistance(int pingPin)
{
long duration, inches, cm;

pinMode(pingPin, OUTPUT);
digitalWrite(pingPin, LOW);
delayMicroseconds(2);
digitalWrite(pingPin, HIGH);
delayMicroseconds(5);
digitalWrite(pingPin, LOW);

pinMode(pingPin, INPUT);
duration = pulseIn(pingPin, HIGH);

inches = microsecondsToInches(duration);
cm = microsecondsToCentimeters(duration);
Serial.print(inches);
Serial.print(“in, “);
Serial.print(cm);
Serial.print(“cm”);
Serial.println();
return(cm); // You could also return inches
}

long microsecondsToInches(long microseconds)
{
return microseconds / 74 / 2;
}

long microsecondsToCentimeters(long microseconds)
{
return microseconds / 29 / 2;
}

/*******************************************************************************/
//  This is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
//  modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public
//  License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either
//  version 2.1 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
//
//  This is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
//  but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
//  MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
//  Lesser General Public License for more details.
//
//  You could have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public
//  License along with this code; if not, write to the Free Software
//  Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA
//
/*******************************************************************************/

Make knowledge workers more productive

Of course, you need to know the definitions of “knowledge worker” and “productivity” but other than that, here’s a good office environment list of suggestions to improve working conditions for the humans on your payroll.

Your robots — such tools as office productivity software, laser printers and thermostat-controlled HVAC systems — don’t need these suggestions, do they?

When it rains on Friday…

Outside the window, raindrops drip from the wet branches of the redbud tree.  A twig heavily laden with lichen balances precariously on a redbud limb.  Brown and yellow leaves still cling to their connections, pulled loose by falling water occasionally.  The green leaves of a wild privet bush stand out from the rust-coloured background of autumn.

For the past few weeks, I have changed from a person devoted to the art of dance to a person devoted to the art/science of the home tinkerer.

In this tinkerer’s mini-adventure, I have encountered new characters in my life, who my mother has noted are temporary online acquaintances which may or may not have my best interests at heart.  Sometimes, even I am amazed of the faith I readily give to people that this interactive TV screen connects me to.

I, the tinkerer, am working on a desktop prototype of a yard art sculpture that can be a work of art by itself.

I had formed a small group — Team Tree Trunk — to work on this prototype, enlisting the artistic input of my wife and the mechanical engineering input from a friend who, unfortunately, is dealing with a dying father and I haven’t bothered for her input on this project.

Thus, I have been left to write the computer code and create this desktop prototype primarily on my own, hoping my wife can help finish the decorating of the piece from her creative/logical/computer engineering thought set.

Over the past week or so, I’ve attended virtual hangouts/meetings/panels with other tinkerers, commonly called Makers these days but just as easily called inventors, scientists, and other members of the creative class of citizens.  You could call them knowledge workers or data analysts, too.

Is it a special skill or talent that turns one into a Maker?

What level of curiosity belongs to the Maker classification?  Is a person who is curious about a favourite actor’s life a Maker?  Is a sports fan a Maker?  Is a member of the political chattering class a Maker?

Should the word Maker even be capitalised?  It certainly takes capital to be a Maker rather than just a Thinker/Dreamer.

As I finish up this Robot Hacks project, I wonder what in this whole Maker Movement will make my dream come true — a permanent colony on Mars (or the Moon) in the next 13,321 days.

Cool as they are already, it’s great that people want to use 3D printers to make game pieces, Valentine’s Day flowers, holiday ornaments, keychains, tablet PC cases and book lights.

We-the-geeks-010

After all, we like to surround ourselves with evidence of our individuality.

My goals are not your goals.  My goals are not my goals.  My goals belong to the universe, coaxing our sets of states of energy, fractal spinoffs from the local star, to branch out into the solar system with more than our electromechanical observation platforms.

We want a whole generation on this planet to subconsciously devote their attention to extraplanetary settlement.  It doesn’t happen by force or coercion.  It happens through encouraging people to use their imaginations, with subtle hints that exploring the cosmos is a great use of their imaginations.

Kind of like mass marketing direct mail campaigns — we don’t expect 100% replies — if 1-3% respond, and buy the product or buy into the product’s lifestyle, we’ve accomplished our goals.

One to three percent of the global population devoting one to three percent of global resources toward space exploration?  That would be awesome!

Now, on to getting people excited about putting their imaginations into action, regardless of age or socioeconomic status.  I don’t expect myself to like everything they create but I’m willing to give them the impetus to do so.

Timing is everything

The Talking Centipede


A single guy decided life would be more fun 

if he had a pet.

So he went to the pet store 

and told the owner 

that he wanted to buy an unusual pet.

After some discussion, 

he finally bought a talking centipede, 

(100-legged bug), 

which came in a little white box 

to use for his house.

He took the box back home, 

found a good spot for the box, 

and decided he would start off  

by taking his new pet 

to church with him.
So he asked the centipede in the box,
  

“Would you like to go 

to church with me today? 

We will have a good time.”

But there was no answer 

from his new pet.

This bothered him a bit, 

but he waited a few minutes 

and then asked again,   

“How about going 

to church with me 

and receive blessings?”

But again, 

there was no answer 

from his new friend and pet. 

So he waited 

a few minutes more, 

thinking about the situation.

The guy decided 

to invite the centipede 

one last time.

This time 

he put his face up against 

the centipede’s house and shouted,  

“Hey, in there! 

Would you like to go 

to church with me 

and learn about God?” 

… YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE THIS … 


This time, 

a little voice 

came out of the box, 

“I heard you the first time!
I’m putting on my shoes!”
 

  

              Lesson for Today:

 

              Learn to be patient.

 

The object of your desires

I’m coming to grips with an inkling of an understanding of animism — also known as objectum sexuality.

What is attractive to one is not necessarily attractive to another.

Thus, what is a robot and what level of cybernetic symbiosis determines when we can love a person who is somewhere between 0% and 100% biologically born?