Archives for April 2012
Logical Fallacies Infographic
A logical fallacy is often what has happened when someone is wrong about something. It’s a flaw in reasoning. Strong arguments are void of logical fallacies, whilst arguments that are weak tend to use logical fallacies to appear stronger than they are. They’re like tricks or illusions of thought, and they’re often
very sneakily used by politicians, the media, and others to fool people. Don’t be fooled! This poster has been designed to help you identify and call out dodgy logic wherever it may raise its ugly, incoherent head. If you see someone committing a logical fallacy online, link them to the relevant fallacy to school them in thinky awesomeness and win the intellectual aections of those who happen across your comment by appearing clever and interesting
“Desiderata”, written by Max Ehrman in 1927
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
Eric Lynn, Arts Xpose #4, Maker’s Club Egg Drop
Lucy McRae: How can technology transform the human body?
TED Fellow Lucy McRae is a body architect — she imagines ways to merge biology and technology in our own bodies. In this visually stunning talk, she shows her work, from clothes that recreate the body’s insides for a music video with pop-star Robyn, to a pill that, when swallowed, lets you sweat perfume.
Trained as a classical ballerina and architect, Lucy McRae is fascinated by the human body, and how it can be shaped by technology.
Machines Machines Machines (useful links)
Here is a list of some artists that use machines:
Alexander Calder – While he is best known for his mobiles, which seem so serious, you can’t forget about Calder’s Circus.
Alice Aycock – Some of the works are actual functioning large scale machines while others just use machine imagery.
Arthur Ganson – Ganson make lots of little theatrical sculptures.
Chris Burden – Burden investigates a lot of massive machines and systems, he makes bridges, flying steam rollers, and complex mini car tracks among other things. (google chris burden metropolis)
Jean Tinguely – Tinguely is sort of the patriarch of mechanical sculpture. My favorite project of his is a self destroying machine.
Joseph Herscher – This guy, who is essentially a character from Flight of the Concords, makes awesome rude Goldberg machines.
Marcel Duchamp – Most of Duchamps ready mades were parts of machines, he used machanical imagery in lots of his work, and machines to create interesting optical effects.
Mika Rottenberg- Rottenberg creates human/machine systems and uses them to shoot videos, they are awesome and funny.
Peter Fischli and David Weiss – These guys made the film The Way Things Go, which captures a giant Rude Goldberg machine in action.
Phoebe Washburn – Washburn’s installations create systems to grow plants or make food.
Sadarshan Shetty – An Indian artist whose works range from very poetic to very lewd.
Stelarc – Stelarc makes complex electronic prosthesis.
Tim Hawkinson –Hawkinson is one of my favorites and a big influence on my work. His machine are so interestingly crafted; they are insanely complex and very idiosyncratic.
Zimoun – Zimoun creates sound installations with mechanically prepared everyday objects.
Here are some Links That are useful for making machines or that might inspire ideas:
Bizarre Patents – Diagrams of crazy machines
Gear Template Generator – This is useful for making templates of gears.
Levers – The Wikipedia entry on levers, this is very useful for understanding the types of levers and how they work.
Pulleys– Pully’s are useful for changing the direction of forces and gaining lots of mechanical advantage.
-Aaron