POLL: What do YOU think makes HeatSync Labs great?

[Ben Humpherys]

Out of curiousity, I would like to hear everybodies own explanations and definitions of a couple things about what makes us great and why. So, answer each of the questions below, in your own words.  If one way of explaining it resonates to a lot of people, I think that is important. If someone words something you think is really really great, quote them directly. So:

What does it mean to "Make"? What is the definition of "Making"?

What does it mean to "Hack" something? What is the definition of "Hacking"?

What things about being involved with HeatSync do you enjoy the most?

What are the most important values we share at HeatSync?

Why should other people care about what we are doing?

What does it mean to be a "do-ocracy"? What do you think of that model of operation?

Who are the leaders of HeatSync labs? What gives them authority?

What traits in fellow members do you respect the most? Which are most important?

[Chad Stearns]

Thats funny, Absolute0tricks and I were talking about what it means to make the other day. He probably has some insights into this question as well.

My description of "making" is that something is "made" than it has come into existence, as a consequence of conscious intent and direct intervention.

"Hacking", I feel is intimately associated with technology. Technology is a set of physical tools and techniques used to manipulate in some efficient way. A computer mouse is technology because is manipulated a computer in an efficient way, and a laser in a mouse is technology because it detects the 2 dimension motion of the mouse in an efficient way. 

So, "hacking" I think describes the development and control of technology, in a personal way. So, if I develop a social hack (saying hi to people), its hacking because its personal and self developed, if a huge company decides they are going to say hi to people, its no longer hacking. And likewise, if I watch TV, I am using technology, but I am not developing or controlling it, so it is not hacking.

-ChadCS

[Chad Stearns]

So, now that I am out of calculus class and I can elaborate.

I think, if heatsync is a good thing, then it is because its associated with the individuals in the space. It is not good because of its association with technology, but certain technology empowers the individuals in the space and these technologies are inherent in the individuals in the community..

-ChadCS

[Mike Bushroe]

I concur. I was just down there Tuesday. I got very little accomplished, but felt quite jazzed by spending time with people who think like I do, who value ideas and engineering problem solving, and learning, and doing, and learning to do new things. In short, it is fun to finally hang around with a concentrated group of people with the same mental 'bend' as I do.

Tools certainly add to the fun. Making together is even more fun. Having access to tools I don't have at home (not as big a deal for me as many since I have a few myself) is great. But it is the joy of hanging out with others who 'get me' and the synergistic effect of discussing problems and ideas with people who have different approaches, but like to solve similar problems is what really draws me. And virtual presence doesn't do that fo me. I want full presence, full bandwidth, hands on. And also to directly help others, not just write down instructions.

  I hope that helps.

Mike

[Jerry Davis]

It is a combination of several things.

1) I have always been a geek. And it is a privilege to just BE with other geeks in the space.

2) There are tools there, that I couldn't possibly afford/put in my home that I am free to use.

3) I love learning, and just hanging out.

4) I am interested in what everyone else is doing. My wife is a maker although she doesn't want to admit it :), but she's been crocheting for almost 50 years.

But I would have to say it is the friends I have made here ... I feel like I belong.

jerry

--
 
 

--
Licensed Amateur Radio Operator: K7AZJ
Registered Linux User: 275424
Arduino programmer

Recursion: (noun):
      see: Recursion

[Will Bradley]

I'll tackle this awesome poll later, but Jerry and Mike have hit on one big problem we have: we've inadvertently created Phoenix's best geek hangout. (Congrats!) It's amazing... until you go home five days in a row feeling jazzed but dissatisfied because you didn't actually get anything done. So it's a constant challenge for everyone to inspire each other without distracting from the amazing projects in front of us :)

I've said this privately to a few people, but HeatSync tends to occupy the very top of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs for members, called "self actualization." (It might be lower on the pyramid for those of us who need the tools to make things to pay rent, or who need to feel like they belong somewhere.) Basically, the reason you're a member likely isn't for feeding your belly, it's for feeding your mind or soul. You come to HeatSync to feel accomplished, fulfilled, respected; sometimes that takes the form of inspiration, but other times it's about making a robot or web app or snazzy Halloween costume.

But hackerspaces occupy a pretty tenuous place in people's lives. Maslow's Hierarchy means that if you can't eat, or can't afford a car, or have a painful lack of friends/family/companionship, you might have trouble justifying something like a hackerspace. Likewise if the hackerspace stops fulfilling those higher needs like accomplishment, respect, and creativity, you'll find other places that are more fulfilling.

The various formal and informal leaders here can't easily force you to do something unfulfilling. Who gets off work, kicks off their shoes, and feels motivated to organize a drawer full of drill bits? Nobody's paying you to do it, it'd be insanely expensive to make it worth your time, so why do it? Because hopefully it represents a contribution to something that fulfills you. You take out the trash because you've grown to care for the building and the things inside it. But if you don't care, because it's not worth it to you, because it's not fulfilling you in ways you need to be fulfilled, then you stop contributing and move on. So this whole house of cards is resting on elusive things like accomplishment, respect, and creativity. :)

--
 
 

[Mike Bushroe]

On Friday, October 12, 2012 3:33:24 PM UTC-7, Will Bradley wrote:

but HeatSync tends to occupy the very top of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs for members,

Well, I always did feel a bit 'upside down'! My pyramid is very top heavy with gaping holes in the bottom layers.

 

 So this whole house of cards is resting on elusive things like accomplishment, respect, and creativity. :)

Al right, I will try to accomplish more the next time I hang out :). Maybe with practice I can desensitize, focus more on doing and less on being.

Speaking of which, can I tie up the Ultimaker for awhile printing a fixbot?

On a more serious note, I think I understand what you are saying here. And yes, if we don't want this to be a flash in the pan social group that suddenly gets tired of itself and fades away, we need to focus on and promote more substantive, repeatable rewards for being there and contributing both to the success of others, and the success and maintenance of the Lab as a whole.

Mike

[Will Bradley]

That said I'm ecstatic that you feel inspired and at home here :)

--
 
 

[Ben Humpherys]

Good answers so far! I'm trying to compare and contrast all the different answers people give, so keep it coming .

[Will Bradley]

What does it mean to "Make"? What is the definition of "Making"?

I consider making to be a subset of hacking. "Makerspace" seems to exclude a lot of what our members do, which is programming, repurposing, inventing, tinkering, and improving off-the-shelf systems. A hackerspace is a valid place to teach software/network/security skills, whereas a makerspace kinda isn't.

What does it mean to "Hack" something? What is the definition of "Hacking"?

I like the Jargon File etymology: originally, to make furniture with an axe. It ties together all our varied definitions nicely: creative reuse, an elegantly simple solution, sometimes just "making" but usually more than just "assembling." I consider a hacker to be someone who appreciates knowledge and skill for its own sake, rather than being content with the minimum necessary; who understands the world by tweaking it instead of leaving it untouched. Wouldn't you like to know if we have a basement? How would you figure it out without getting in trouble? Why not find out?

What things about being involved with HeatSync do you enjoy the most?

When I can drop everything and teach an 8-year-old how to breadboard, I'm on cloud nine for a month. I'm sorry I missed half of our elections the other day, but actually, no I'm not. That little girl is a prodigy and I'm honored to have had the opportunity to teach father and daughter.

The other questions are amazing and important but I don't have answers for them right now. Gotta get back to work. What do you think, new members and old members and public?

On Fri, Oct 12, 2012 at 6:28 PM, Ben Humpherys <moog...@gmail.com> wrote:

Good answers so far! I'm trying to compare and contrast all the different answers people give, so keep it coming .

--