[Robotgroup] Projects

[Glenn Currie]

If everyone was always in agreement, things would get pretty dull,
and before long our species would die out due to over specialization,
as ass kissers.

Any undertaking of any consequence will have it's challenges - that
is part of the process.  In many cases, the technical problems
are the easy ones.

Lots of interesting projects have been discussed, and some have
actually been built.  None that I have been involved with, were
free of controversy.It is helpful to discuss ideas and sort out which
ones are interesting, and from that list, decide which ones can be
accomplished with the resources available.

Niccolo Machiavelli and Leonardo DaVinci were contemporaries.
They knew each other and are known to have met several times.
Considering the secrecy that each was so fond of, they probably
had more meetings than were recorded.  Wouldn't it be grand to
go back in time and have lunch with these guys! 

Machiavelli wrote a number of notable texts, including "The Prince" and
"The Art of War'.  Leo had vast collections of notes and sketches,
regarding other art forms.  Together they promoted the idea of
diverting the Arno River - for various reasons.  It is a most interesting
and telling story of those perusing thoughts that were not practical,
and pushing the envelope on what was humanly possible at the time.
In perusing the project hidden agendas were the rule rather than the
exception.

Carry on with the projects, examine you thoughts and motivations.
You can share your introspections, or keep them to yourself.
It is my view that, humans are emotional creatures,
capable of limited rational thought and that capacity for rational
thought, is in service to the emotions.

There are a number of robot groups, that focus on little more than
motorized trash cans.  The motor control, line following, as well
as a number of the basics have been done over and over again.
The first few times it is interesting, then it just gets tedious, as it
takes a remarkable amount of work to do the basics.

If you have not done the basics before, do it!  It is a real
eye opener, but I warn you, it can open a big "can of worms".
Once hooked, you need ever more ambitious projects to
float your brain in juices it likes.

A mind contemplating itself in intriguing and it is a bit
like a house of mirrors.  I highly recommend it, an the
writings, music, videos etc. that have shared theirs.

I find that I can disturb people when I tell them what I
think.  It is not that their thoughts are particularly
different, they are just shy, have more tact, or
whatever label you wish to use.  It is a threshold
thing, not a fundamental difference in thinking.

Some people are naturally introspective, and for
others shit just happens, they have no idea
why and accept no responsibility for the life
that unfolds before them. 

Jerome Lester Horowitz, "Curly Joe"  Howard of the Three Stooges,
once said, "Mmm, tried to think and notion happened!"

In another sketch, he was told to "shave some ice" for a party.
In the old days ice was delivered in big blocks to homes.
Shaving some ice, was common.  In the sketch he was
shaving some ice with a straight razor.  He lathered up the
ice, and started to shave it - keeping up a barbers banter
with his "customer". 
"Say I really like that pink tie your wearing!
You aint wearin a pink tie... Oh! Ok, hears you
bottom lip back!  One of the roughest jokes the
guys ever told. and it has nothing to do with the
previous discussion, and nothing with what fallows.

Joseph Campbell urged people seeking meaning
in live - wondering what the "big plan" is, etc.
to "Follow your bliss."  To the extent you can do that
without pissing off the rest of the society too much,
go for it. 

See if you can determine what makes robotic devices
interesting to you, call that your "bliss" and peruse it.
It but one example of rational thought, in the service
of the emotions, that initiate our actions and our creations.

One good place to start the journey is by taking a look at:

http://www.amazon.com/Mind-Children-Future-Robot-Intelligence/dp/0674576187

If it looks interesting, you might even take time to read it.  Hans has 
some ideas that
a bit hard to wrap you mind around, but he has found what is likely to be
one of the paths through the house of mirrors of the human mind.

If not, Half-Price books, will give you a few nickels for your dead tree 
copy
of the text and put it out there for somebody else to pick up on.

Cheers,

-Glenn