Alt-BEAM Archive

Message #03595



To: "Wilf Rigter" Wilf.Rigter@powertech.bc.ca, beam@corp.sgi.com
From: "Ed Jones Jr." sargon@gte.net
Date: Mon, 24 May 1999 01:00:21 -0400
Subject: [alt-beam] Re: Beam Group Evolution


Wilf ,

It would be nice if everyone on this list :

1) printed out " Beam Group Evolution "
2) have it framed
3) stick it on their wall next to their workbench
4) read it OFTEN !!!

Thanks for reminding me ( us?) what BEAM should be about .

Ed Jones
sargon@gte.net


----------
> From: Wilf Rigter
> To: beam@corp.sgi.com
> Subject: Beam Group Evolution
> Date: Sunday, May 23, 1999 1:40 PM
>
> Beam Group Evolution
>
>
> Each of us, through the process of experience, learning, testing and
> correcting
> ideas, builds up an internal model of the world. Part of that world view
is
> a
> class of machines based on BEAM ideas. Whatever our backgrounds (and many
of
> us
> have models of machine "life"/robotics of which Beam is a just small
part),
> we share a
> common overlapping sets of ideas and models of Beam machines and Beam
> technology.
> This is the resonance that keeps us together as a group! (Nothing new
here,
> just stating
> the obvious but worth a reminder).
>
> In addition to our shared ideas, we all like to explore new ideas based
on
> improvements
> of form and function of Beam machines. We want to check the validity of
our
> ideas or
> models or our means to communicate through discussion with others, and by
> building and
> testing our ideas. Then we may report the results to the list or on our
> websites or in
> academia with the analysis or theory or description of operation,
pictures,
> circuit designs,
> articles on building, videoclips. And we all want constructive feedback!

> In this way, each successful new design idea or robot example is shared
or
> appropriated
> and may be added to our internal models. Then the cycle repeats based on
new
> incrementally
> improved models of Beam technology and we go on to propose and build more
> complex and
> refined robots. In the process, we sharpen our ingenuity and creativity,
our
> problem
> solving and communication skills, and our powers of observation and
> persuasion.
>
> Thus Beam technology evolves.
>
> Some of us just started exploring machine technology with Beam opening
the
> door.
> Some of us have developed beautiful, complex, real and imaginary models
of
> machine life.
> Some of us are happy to finish our first walker and others are not
content
> until they have
> tuned a herd of bots for cooperative behaviour or have designed a
> self-assembling/organizing
> robot/machine cell.
>
> Some see the evolution of robots as development of perfect slaves and
other
> can see
> the possibility of nurturing the independent evolution of living
machines.
>
>
> But despite our differences, we are more than a collection of individuals
> learning and growing:
> we also share and grow ideas as a group!
>
> The Beam group is and should be a gentle, low risk place where people
meet
> and share ideas.
>
> enjoy
>
> Wilf Rigter mailto:wilf.rigter@powertech.bc.ca
> tel: (604)590-7493
> fax: (604)590-3411

------------------------------------------------------------------------

eGroups.com home: http://www.egroups.com/group/alt-beam
http://www.egroups.com - Simplifying group communications



Home