I barely understand what my husband does, but it's a lot easier now than when he was in software development for gaming physics. He's been studying up at the University of Michigan's Taubman College of Architecture & Urban Planning, learning about digital fabrication.
Here's an interesting post explaining what goes into telling a robot to cut the chair you're designed. It's got geometry! And robots! What's not to like?
Mark and the Big Orange Robot Arm
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Commencement is just around the corner -- Making a difference
U-M students are getting ready to graduate. I'm not sure what the weather will hold for them that day, but I hope their spirits will be sunny. Commencement ceremonies are chock full of cliches. I can't think of a rougher gig than trying to come up with an original graduation speech. And yet every time I attend one, I listen avidly, and I find the sentiments expressed (about the future, about new beginnings, about endless possibilities) to be very moving. I think those sentiments are entirely valid.
I was just reading James Holloway's excellent blog where he has been reflecting on what it means to be in the engineering field and the contributions that those in the field have to make to society. I confess that when I was an undergrad considering majors, engineering sounded like a horrible grind to me. [Like econ isn't?! ] But although I had no interest in being a student of that field, I'm certainly a consumer of the outputs. And I've always been inspired by the optimism, vision, and excitement that surrounds the aims and achievements of engineering fields. One awesome benefit about being affiliated with a University with an esteemed engineering school is that you get to hear those stories all the time.
James' latest entry talked about Making a Difference. That's an excellent theme for U-M students to ponder as they think about their future careers. It's exciting to think that some of those graduates crossing the stage will go on to amazing professional achievements. They will change lives, and change the way we look at the world. In fact, some of them already have. I get a kick out of how many UM-affiliated folk end up recognized for things on that scale.
That said, "Making a Difference" is more than just revolutionizing your field. There are many spheres where U-M students and graduates can and will contribute and make a difference.
I have never forgotten hearing that from my own college president, Linda K. Lorimer. It wasn't a commencement speech, but rather a convocation speech (they tend to be just as cliche-ridden, and yet just as likely to captivate me]. She said we shouldn't measure our success by how far we climb up the corporate ladder or where our name appears on the letterhead. That the contributions we make to our communities and families were equally valid, important, and influential. Those thoughts were reinforced by my graduation speaker, who had been the first woman ever elected president of the Boston Bar. Both very professionally accomplished people, both urging us to invest ourselves in making a difference outside of our professions. Those words have come back to me again and again in the 20+ years since I've heard them.
So, graduates: When you set out to conquer the world, think broadly. You can make a difference in many ways. Be a great team member at work. Volunteer locally. Reach out to someone in need. Be active and informed civically. Encourage & mentor young people. Raise great kids. Advocate for causes you believe in. These things matter!
And not-yet-graduates: The great thing about the Michigan experience is that you can get a good start on pursuing the things you care about, whether they are personal or professional. You can start thinking about the difference you want to make in the world, or BE in the world. My greatest hope for students is that they take advantage of those opportunities while they are here! And carry it forward when they graduate.
Go blue!
I was just reading James Holloway's excellent blog where he has been reflecting on what it means to be in the engineering field and the contributions that those in the field have to make to society. I confess that when I was an undergrad considering majors, engineering sounded like a horrible grind to me. [Like econ isn't?! ] But although I had no interest in being a student of that field, I'm certainly a consumer of the outputs. And I've always been inspired by the optimism, vision, and excitement that surrounds the aims and achievements of engineering fields. One awesome benefit about being affiliated with a University with an esteemed engineering school is that you get to hear those stories all the time.
James' latest entry talked about Making a Difference. That's an excellent theme for U-M students to ponder as they think about their future careers. It's exciting to think that some of those graduates crossing the stage will go on to amazing professional achievements. They will change lives, and change the way we look at the world. In fact, some of them already have. I get a kick out of how many UM-affiliated folk end up recognized for things on that scale.
That said, "Making a Difference" is more than just revolutionizing your field. There are many spheres where U-M students and graduates can and will contribute and make a difference.
I have never forgotten hearing that from my own college president, Linda K. Lorimer. It wasn't a commencement speech, but rather a convocation speech (they tend to be just as cliche-ridden, and yet just as likely to captivate me]. She said we shouldn't measure our success by how far we climb up the corporate ladder or where our name appears on the letterhead. That the contributions we make to our communities and families were equally valid, important, and influential. Those thoughts were reinforced by my graduation speaker, who had been the first woman ever elected president of the Boston Bar. Both very professionally accomplished people, both urging us to invest ourselves in making a difference outside of our professions. Those words have come back to me again and again in the 20+ years since I've heard them.
So, graduates: When you set out to conquer the world, think broadly. You can make a difference in many ways. Be a great team member at work. Volunteer locally. Reach out to someone in need. Be active and informed civically. Encourage & mentor young people. Raise great kids. Advocate for causes you believe in. These things matter!
And not-yet-graduates: The great thing about the Michigan experience is that you can get a good start on pursuing the things you care about, whether they are personal or professional. You can start thinking about the difference you want to make in the world, or BE in the world. My greatest hope for students is that they take advantage of those opportunities while they are here! And carry it forward when they graduate.
Go blue!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
More on "Photoformance"
My spouse put up some photos about the art installation I described in my last entry.
Check it out!
http://mkmra2.blogspot.com/2011/04/umma-installation-photoformance.html
Check it out!
http://mkmra2.blogspot.com/2011/04/umma-installation-photoformance.html
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