Comics Critiquing Technology

These single-frame comics summarize my thoughts on the 7 weekly themes from Allison Burtch's Critical Theory class at The School For Poetic Computation. The drawings were created on paper and scanned.  The backgrounds were generatively produced using Processing.

Topic: Decentralization and its Discontents

Topic: Decentralization and its Discontents

Topic: Internet of Things

Topic: Internet of Things

Topic: What was the vision? (computers and education)

Topic: What was the vision? (computers and education)

Topic: Political Change and Riots

Topic: Political Change and Riots

Topic: Messaging and Language

Topic: Messaging and Language

Topic: Utopias and Sci Fi

Topic: Utopias and Sci Fi

Topic: Privacy and Surveillance

Topic: Privacy and Surveillance

Work in Progress: Orientation Triggered Audio Object

I'm working on a set of objects that can trigger various samples based on orientation.  I plan on making three+ of the these objects that tether wirelessly to a single amplifier and audio source. I'm not sure what the final enclosure of the devices will be but I have considered the "Junk Orchestra" idea (image below). The choice of samples/audio is also under careful consideration.

Technical: This project uses a Teensy controller and audio adaptor board.  Orientation is measured with Adafruit's 3-axis accelerometer.

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SMS Word Bubble Project

This is a prototype for my first “wearable” project. This word bubble turns SMS messages into very visible accoutrements with the use of a high-contrast OLED character display.  The object may invoke unexpected conversation or simply reveal an often hidden method of daily communication. The device can also act as an adaptive technology that allows for simple nonverbal communication. Alternatively the user can share the messaging number and wear whatever anyone decides to message (be it serious, funny or otherwise).

Technical: SMS Communication is managed by an Arduino, Adafruit's FONA module and a T-mobile SIM card. 3D modeling done with Rhino. Printing done using Shapeways. The project is still in testing but working well so far!

The Internet of Demanding Things

This week's topic for the School For Poetic Computation's Critical Theory Class is the "Internet of Things" known affectionately as Iot.  I decided to focus on the idea that, in may unpredictable ways, the Internet of Things will make our lives more complicated by creating dependencies on certain telecommunication interactions with the devices in our homes. 

The device I've been working on requires the owner to tweet at it within a specified period of time or its health will slowly decline.  If its health reaches zero, a relay will deliver a lethal voltage to the control electronics.  When the lethal voltage is applied a red liquid will also be released indicating that the device is indeed dead.  

The owner will know how much life the device has remaining by locally watching the LED bar-graph mounted on its back, or by following the device on twitter to receive its hourly health tweets.

Each time the owner tweets the word FEED @resist_death, the device regains five bars of energy.  If the owner decides to punish the device, the word IGNORE can tweeted @resist_death and five bars of energy will be deducted.  The life of the device is calculated and updated every hour.

Progress: All basic communication structures and bar-graph working.
To do: Work out "death sequence".  Design and make "skin." Final Assembly.

Prototyped Electronics

Prototyped Electronics

Concept Drawing

Concept Drawing

@resist_death twitter feed

@resist_death twitter feed

Another Great Summer Class: Digital Fabrication!

In the 2nd week of CCA's summer formations program, a small group of students from CCA and beyond worked on generative architectural studies using Rhino and Grasshopper.  Each project was designed to tile together to create a larger collaborative pattern.  Each tile used a different digital fabrication process including: laser cutting, CNC routing and 3D printing. Thanks to Adam Marcus for all the guidance.

Keith and Kiki lay out the group's piece on Friday afternoon.

Cutting curved paths with the CNC router.

Breaking a solid form into 100 or more laser-cut slotted pieces.

Breaking a solid form into 100 or more laser-cut slotted pieces.

My end of the week project collection.NCC

My end of the week project collection.NCC