Augmenting Humanity @ HeatSync Labs<br clear="all"><a href="http://prevailproject.blogspot.com/2011/01/augmenting-humanity-heatsync-labs.html">http://prevailproject.blogspot.com/2011/01/augmenting-humanity-heatsync-labs.html</a><br>
<br>"""<br>Let's start this year off with a bang! I just got back from <a href="http://www.heatsynclabs.org/">HeatSync Labs</a>,
where the local hackers are taking their eyes off of 3D printing,
near-space missions, tesla coils, and cylon Roombas and working on
something a little closer to home; themselves.<br><br>Okay, that
requires a little explanation. HeatSync is a Phoenix area hackerspace,
a place for technically inclined people to come together, pool
resources, and work on interesting projects. Hackerspaces started in
the nerdvanas of Silicon Valley and Route 128, but the movement is
spreading across the country, and expanding from electronics to
biotech. With the democratization of technical equipment, almost
anybody can be a scientist. The hackerspace movement scales up the joy
of just messing around with blinkenlights to an adult level, and it
might just serve as the incubutator for the next wave of innovation.<br><br>Augmenting
Humanity @HeatSync is a small group of hackers with an interest in
transhumanism, and with using their DIY skills to improve themselves.
They're well on their way. Jacob has an <a href="http://www.wired.com/gadgets/mods/news/2006/06/71087">experimental magnetic sense</a>,
and wants more radical alterations. Harry is a recreational
neuroscientist. He already has a 14 channel EEG he freed from an <a href="http://www.emotiv.com/">Emotiv controller</a>,
and his next step is to make an Arduino board DC neural stimulator, as
well as his own version of ze goggles. With all this, he's well on his
way to doing some real interesting science. Jeremy is into <a href="http://quantifiedself.com/">quantified sel</a>f, and wants to use smartphones and wireless sensors to make data collection trivial. <a href="http://www.accessibilityinsights.com/">Bryan is blin</a>d,
and is working with Apple to improve the accessibility of iDevices,
while trying to find hacks to make his life easier. The current project
is a liquid level sensor. As a father of three, Bryan spends a lot of
time filling bottles, and a device which beeps at the proper level
would be good for everybody.<br><br>These guys are definitely aware of
the social and political aspects of what they're doing. They view
themselves as citizen-scientists, in the vein of the old Royal Society,
and they want to both improve themselves, and generate useful knowledge
that the standard scientific research process won't touch, either
because it won't be funded, or violates medical ethics (note: ethical
medical research must treat a disease, so by definition, enhancement is
unethical. The current work around has been 'medicalization', creating
a disorder for people who want to be enhanced. Many people, myself
included, think this is a major problem.) They also are very forward
about getting their work out there, and connecting with like minded
hackers across the world. In the absence of formal journals, all of
this is being organized through social media, blogs, wikis, and video
chat. We are lucky enough to live in an era where information can be
shared easily, and advanced technology is cheap. In the next few months
and years, I hope to spend a fair amount of time with Augmented
Humanity, develop some projects, and get them out there. But for now,
rest easy knowing that these people have the future well in hand.
<br>"""<br><br>HeatSync Labs<br><a href="http://www.heatsynclabs.org/">http://www.heatsynclabs.org/</a><br><br>"""<br>Established in 2009, HeatSync Labs is Arizona's first hackerspace. HeatSync is a coworking facility that makes workspace, tools, equipment, and other resources available, while creating a community of collaboration and learning-by-doing.<br>
<br>Access to professional quality tools and equipment can often be out of reach for the average student, entrepreneur, or garage tinkerer. HeatSync Labs provides resources for people from a wide range of disciplines to learn, share, and create.<br>
"""<br><br>- Bryan<br><a href="http://heybryan.org/">http://heybryan.org/</a><br>1 512 203 0507<br>