Alt-BEAM Archive
Message #02411
To: dave@solarbotics.com
From: JVernonM@aol.com
Date: Sat, 17 Apr 1999 00:24:54 EDT
Subject: [alt-beam] Re: Beam genome - waste of time....
In a message dated 4/16/99 10:43:39 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
dave@solarbotics.com writes:
>
> It doesn't matter if a genome would be possible, practical, or
appreciated.
> My impression is that people want to sit down, build their own little
> robot, and appreciate it for what it is. I can't say how many times I've
> seen or heard "Boy, that Spyder robot is cool - I want to build one of my
> own!". Ditto for many of the other of (mainly) MarkT's creations. And a
> genome won't cut it for helping them build one - they want plans and
> schematics. I'm guilty of that too - I've constructed knock-off's of other
> people's work (Randy Sargent's Herbie; Mark's 2 motor BigFoot; and
others),
> and a genome was in no way of help or interest to me in this regard.
Actually, that's exactly my point. The environment of copying what others
have done is how we all advance here. If we had an archive of those
approaches, an explanation of what worked or did not, we could better service
that need for information.
> Perhaps it would be of use in a University or research setting, but we're
> talking mainly about BEAM hobbiests that couldn't care less if it's been
> done before - they want to try it themselves and build on that work. And
> we've seen these results in the variations of Photovore development in the
> last "Fang" contest. A much better use of time and energy.
I'm glad Steven Jobs didn't perceive the computer that way. I and some others
seem to care more than that Dave. Jeez, I'm not trying to spank your baby
here, just give my insights as to how we could work TOGETHER to make the tech
thrive.
> Carry on if you want to develop a genome, but don't count on my
> participation. I'd rather be at the workbench rather than developing
> classifications...
Yep, I am definitely sensing a wall going up here. Documentation is essential
to any scientific endeavor. You can consider BEAM no more than a hobby and
that's fine for many, but I thought someone thought it could be more. I think
it was Mr. Tilden. Something about living machines and all that rot. Maybe I
see potential in the tech that isn't there. I don't know.
Jim
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