Re: [Hive 76 Discussion] Official New Member Bid/Beg

[Sean McBeth]

Leslie! So glad you are joining Hive. So sad that I moved out of the area before it happened :(

You have some pretty awesome ideas on things you want to do. Incidentally, my fiance bought me some electrically conductive ink for our anniversary (heh, I know, that sounds weird, but she's an Electrical Engineer, so our gifts to each other aren't very traditional). This sort of stuff plus a flexible substrate would probably go a long way towards making the Lilypad more flexible.

Also, you might want to consider looking at the MSP430 instead of the Arduino. The new Energia editor makes it just as easy to use as the Arduino (with the caveat that you don't have the plethora of shields available), but the MSP430 requires very, very few external parts to get running. That would help you make the package much smaller. Mike Hogan is the man with the plan on the MSP430s and knows all about getting them to run in neat ways (he made one run on a piece of paper, it was really cool).

It's interesting that you mention meditation. I learned some meditation and simple bio-feedback techniques in early high school. Having recently stumbled on this old video of John Cleese talking on creativity (https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=f9rtmxJrKwc), and recalling many of my own sessions with my executive coach, I can vouch that it's really, really important to incorporate some sort of meditative technique when embarking on creative pursuits.

I've done a lot of thinking on the disproportional mix of gender issue lately, and I think there is a similar symptom for any place in which one is trying to find "A Type of Person" to join "A Thing". Tech startups have a hard time with the gender issue, too, even though they seem like they would be the perfect place to tackle the problem. But the hiring campaigns (and a membership drive is the same thing as a hiring campaign) only gives you the illusion of control. It's essentially random action because you don't ever get to really know the person. If you're going to find the right people to fill a hole in your life, you have to get to know them as people first, not as resumes or bullet points on a job application. You have to become friends with them. The more friends you make, the more likely you are to find someone who is a good fit and also available on their own terms. You're an excellent example. You've been a friend of ours for years and now you are ready. I think you're going to make an excellent addition to the group.

So I agree with you that we need to get out to other groups. We need to start expanding our friendships into other groups, into every maker-oriented group in the city, to just be friends and get to know people. Once you get to know people, then you will know which ones need a place like Hive, and then it's just asking a friend to come hang out :)

And on the messiness at Hive, hey, Mitch Altman said we were the tidiest hackerspace in the world :) Having visited a few in America, I'd say that is likely the case. I'm always for more efficient use of a space, but there are some small issues with the space that make me wonder if we haven't already found the most efficient layout possible for that space. That wall between the soldering station and the round table cuts the space into two halves that are each difficult to work with. It ends up creating a "lobby" type space next to the soldering station that is either a great use of space because it makes the first introduction for new people to be very open, or a terrible use of space because there is a large expanse of empty floor. It's a very interesting problem. I will say that most of the stuff is the way it is for a reason, and once you live in it for a while you will see the reason, but that is not to say that nothing can be improved on, or that some things are not tolerated because that is all anyone has known.

Now that I'm here in the DC area, my goal is to spread the maker movement as far as possible. There is a distinct culture of consumption here in Northern Virginia, what with the high-priced defense contractors and the affluent, suburban lifestyles they lead, but I think there is an overall interest in reducing waste and that cuts through (most) socioeconomic levels, and an growing interest in forms of personal expression, that together mean the maker lifestyle is only on the rise as it has been. As long as people are making things, whether or not they become members of Hive or wherever, I think it's a win for everyone all around.

Oh jeez, I'll shut up now. I should probably lay off the coffee.

On Thu, Apr 25, 2013 at 12:58 PM, Leslie Birch <les...@humanplusnature.com> wrote:

//start beg

What do you hope to gain from Membership at Hive76. e.g. what will being a Member allow you to do that you can't do simply by coming to public events such as open house? Are there skills you plan to learn at Hive? Collaborations you are looking forward to?

My main interests are electronic wearables and how to make them more friendly for those wearing them.  I'm also interested in making interactive smart art in public places.  Although thus far I've been a loner, it is obvious to me that the people sharing my interests are at Hive and already pursuing similar work.  Although I can come to public events at the space, I think I will need more private time to discuss projects that require a team, or projects that require custom parts.  The membership I'm pursuing is of the lowest involvement level, but that is really not indicative of my intent -- just a reflection of my lack of income since I'm self employed for nonprofits LOL.  So, I'm equally interested in participating in other member's projects. Collaborations of special interest would be to find a co-creator for an "Electric Geisha" hair ornament.  One that resembles a chopstick with flower ornamentation, but includes LED's and an accelerometer that blinks differently with the tilt of the head.  I would then take the finished piece and create a workshop for young women at the Japanese tea house, Shofuso, here in Philly.  Another collaboration possibility is to improve the Lilypad Arduino by making it flexible and lighter for garment construction.  I know PJ and Mike were already offering some of their knowledge in this area (FYI I have another idea and will be ordering materials this week :) ).  Some of my other interests include food hacking and I've already started talking to Shane Confectionery about this idea.  We may be able to create molds with the 3D printer (or other means) and talk about infusing/molding chocolate or their barley candy recipe.  They think I'm crazy, but they are very curious!!!  Obviously some of the skills I need to learn include vacuum molding, 3D printing and custom microcontroller creation.  Teach me the way of the chips...


What do you plan to give to Hive76, that will benefit the space/Membership? e.g. Skills you are bringing to Hive you are willing to share/teach others, classes you envision that you could teach if there is sufficient interest, anything else?

Did I mention I'm a woman?  You seem to be lacking in that area :).  Okay, besides that, I believe my involvement with other women's tech groups in Philly will help to draw others to Hive for classes, open houses and troubleshooting projects.  Through AdaCamp DC last year, I learned some techniques for making spaces more welcoming to women (hey, even women's spaces need help in this area!).  I am definitely able to share my soft circuit/sewing skills.  I have an interest in learning MaxMSP or Pure Data, so if you give me a few years I may be able to teach that as well.  On a more private note, as a Zen Buddhist I can teach meditation to members interested.  It sounds hokey, but it can seriously help people who find their minds really cluttered or "racing".  I also trained with Rolf Smith in innovation techniques (he started the first innovation program for the Air Force).  So, I have skills in mindmapping and CPS (Creative Problem Solving ).  These techniques can help spur thinking and get people "unstuck".  Mostly what I bring is ideas and a desire to help with events.



Please provide constructive criticism of Hive76. What are we doing well? What are we lacking? What could we do better? What brought you to Hive and where do you see Hive76 going in the future?

It's too early for me to give criticism, and frankly, I think the space works.  I was with Far when he started The Hacktory and I know how he thinks concerning collaborative spaces and democracy.  So, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.  I will say that I did work at Ikea in "deco" (visual merchandising), and I think the space itself could be configured in a better way.  If you have ever been to Ikea's Returns and Exchanges section, you know what I'm talking about.  Lots of clean white cabinets with parts storage bins all tidy and labeled.   With that being said,  I also like the zany Pandora's Box feel of discovering vintage objects, so there would need to be a way to marry that as well.  Hey, I'm complicated, but all of this fits into a good dream somehow.  When you are ready for this adventure, I'm ready to chip in.  As for the future of Hive, I remember when Sean was talking about community outreach, and I like the idea of makerspaces becoming more like community connectors.  It's hard to do damage to your neighbor when you are working side by side building something.  In a small way, I believe the maker movement is helping people to get along, and there is no better awesomeness than that. Hive is already half way there.

//beg complete

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[Chris Thompson]

This is awesome.

The dismembership level doesn't require this sort of rigor, but your answers are well-received. :)

The next step to you membership is getting a Venmo account for dues Epson Matte

Welcome!

Chris Thompson, eagleapex.com
GPG key available
"Obscurity is a far greater threat to authors and creative artists than piracy" -Tim O'Reilly