cockroach world domination

Friday at the gallery Gernet Hertz is showing his autonomous cockroach controlled robot. This should be interesting. I'm curious in how people react to the enslavement of the cockroach - I find it oddly disturbing, despite the intutive hatred humans have for roaches.

Once I ate a 3" waterbug stuffed with chicked at typhoon. They used to have a full insect menu, although apparently it's now limited to ants, grubs and crickets. It was very chitinous.

Anyway, here is the info, I hope you can come.

Garnet Hertz - Control and Communication in the Animal and the Machine: Cockroach-controlled Mobile Robot
Machine Project Friday, Nov 19th, 2004 8-10pm.
Artist Talk at 8pm.

Garnet Hertz will be showing his most recent prototype: a cockroach-controlled mobile robot system. The system uses a living Madagascan hissing cockroach atop a modified trackball to control a three-wheeled robot. Infrared sensors also provide navigation feedback to create a semi-intelligent system, with the cockroach as the CPU. This work will be framed within the contexts of intelligence, embodiment, artificial life, the history robotics, and Michael Jackson.

http://www.machineproject.com/garnethertz/index.php

Video Gong Show! Power Point! Arizona State Fair!

1) Having my birthday the day after the election totally sucked for obvious reasons. But pizza was eaten, which made me feel better. I'm feeling good about turning 34. Real good.

2) Friday, this Friday Nov 12th 8pm, we're doing the video gong show at the Echo Park Film Center (right next to machine). Here's how it works - anyone is welcome to bring a video they've made. Everyone in the audience has a button hooked into a diabolical electronic gong ringing system. When dissatisfaction reaches a fever pitch of 50%, the gong gongs and the video stops. Prizes will be bestowed for the video that survives the longest (most entertaining) and the shortest (most annoying). I did this in Houston this summer and it was very fun, although a video of people chugging beer stayed on for a disturbingly long time. Echo Park Film Center, 1200 North Alvarado Street. Bring a video.

3) Saturday, this Saturday Nov 13th 8pm, Kelly Sears has curated an evening of xtreme power point presentations. Starring Emily Cummins, Jeff Kwong, Kelly Sears. Topics may include Nordic death metal, underage drinking and who knows what else. All that Kelly touches turns to gold, and I assume this will follow that convention. Bring beer.

4) Isn't it great that Kelly finally moved to Los Angeles?

5) I was looking at misterpants.com hoping for an update and saw this link about the Arizona state fair, and it's very pleasing. You must read this.

Electronics Class 2

The electronics class is full, congrats to all the lucky winners.

Also, I've heard something about an election this week, has anyone heard anything about that?