[Robotgroup] Mission statement (a request and an example)

[Glenn]

Mission statement input.

I have always been interested in how brains and the minds they support, 
work.
They are often associated with mechanically impressive bodies.

One way to learn more about a how something works is to try to build
a copy of it. It is possible to view sophisticated robots as attempt to
model humans - their bodies and control systems.

Such projects are beyond the capability of any one person, and so far,
beyond the capability of any group of people. But once you chose to
view the journey as the goal, you have a basis for life long inquiry.

Simply observing the interaction of a group that builds robots, is most
instructive.

I have found that in ambitious projects like robotics, working with a group
can be helpful. Sharing tools and skills can help get things done that no
individual in the group can accomplish alone.

Any group is largely defined by the current active members. So, The
Robot Group and it's focus, morphs as the member change in their 
participation.

Leonardo Da Vinci clearly understood that art and technology were 
intertwined.

Jacob Bronowski, the person that did the "Ascent of Man" series found 
the same
thing in his studies.

I keep this posted on the wall at work and at home.
(I highly recommend Jacob's work.)

Science and Art

Through all the human cultures that we know, one thread runs continuously,
and it is made up of two strands. That thread is the thread of science and
of art. We know of no culture – however primitive by our standards – which
does not in some form practice the kind of explanation which I have called
science, and in some form practice what we shall be talking about, art,
both visual art and art expressed in verses, riddles, epigrams and the 
like.
This indissoluble paring surely expresses an essential unity in the evolved
human mind. It cannot be an accident that there are no cultures devoted to
science which have no art, an no cultures devoid of the arts which have no
science. And certainly no culture is devoid of both. There must be 
something
deeply embedded in the human mind – specifically in the human imagination –
which expresses itself naturally in any social culture both in science
and in art.

 From the lecture:
The Power of Artifacts
Jacob Bronowski


Art and Science / Technology was a core concept of the founders of The 
Robot Group .
This provides the umbrella that covers fighting technophobia, outreach 
programs, the
design of robots and the many other things that The Robot Group has done.

We have had quite a bit of press in the past. I believe it was largely 
due to people being
able to enjoy and in some way, identify with the things the group did, 
that they wish they
could do.

The Robot Group has helped me do many of the things I have wanted to do 
by providing
a mechanism to build some of the things I have dreamed of.

I still have the dreams, just a bit low on energy these days.

Food for thought... happy chewing.

Cheers,

-Glenn


Def Egge wrote:
> The Robot Group needs to develop a mission statement...a succinct statement
> of our mission, our values, our purpose, our goals, our reason for
> existence.  Most sources that I have consulted emphasize that, in addition
> to the succinct part (one paragraph), the mission statement should be free
> of jargon.
>
> Although some among you find the concept laughable, the mission statement
> implies a commitment (as is, "What am I willing to commit to do in order to
> aid the organization in its mission?")
>
> To start some discussion on this, I have appended the mission statement
> from one of the other organizations to which I belong.
>
>
> All the best....
>
> Mike
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Mission Statement of the School of Natural Sciences
>
> The School of Natural Sciences strives to help our students understand and
> be able to value their physical, social, academic, and cultural worlds.
> Through our programs in natural sciences, computer sciences and
> mathematics, we provide students with knowledge, skills, and experience
> that prepare them for careers as scientists, mathematicians, or
> practitioners in a related profession. Our mission is rooted in the
> University’s Mission Statement, which calls for a balance among the
> humanities, sciences, and the professions. The School helps to accomplish
> this by its contribution to the General Education Core-Curriculum and by
> its various degree programs. By providing General Education courses, the
> School also educates non-science majors in understanding the role of
> science and mathematics in today’s world. The School of Natural Sciences
> strongly promotes research and scholarly activities among students and
> faculty, which in turn provides the ultimate active learning environment
> for the students and teaches them to be life long learners. Because of our
> Catholic and Holy Cross heritage, we attempt to promote an understanding of
> the world and the human person, which is derived from reason and open to
> faith.
>
>
>
>   
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