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• Thursday, September 14, 2006 07:43 AM

  Robotics

  The basic stamp mentioned in the article is still available and a workhorse of amateur robotics. Robotics is right now atr the stage where computing was in the late seventies, early eighties. (The roomba, Sony Aibo etc... and their spinoffs are being taken apart and modified just like computers were 30 years ago. They are quite often seen as toys just like my commodore 64 was. Also Robots have been in use for about 30 years on an industrial scale just like computers were 30 years ago.)

  While I agree with Mr. Brin that a good, easy, line interpreted language is hard to find (Although there are still quite a lot of free basic interpreters around); The article strikes me as a bit technologically reactionary. I have taught myself to cast aluminum, use a lathe, use a mill etc... Do I expect that from other people interested in robotics? No: Get some Lego mindstorms, or a basic stamp and a decent electronics book ('BeBop to the boolean boogie' comes to mind) and off you go.

  What is unique about modern times is the easy access to vast amounts of knowledge. As a kid I spent a LOT of time in libraries and looked into all kinds of fascinating stuff, sometimes how to make stuff, sometimes how stuff worked. I would have to order books and wait weeks to get them etc... Now the most esoteric interests can be googled and fellow enthusiasts can be found. I believe the value of that is tremendous. It goes with my firm belief in education: We don't need so much education as everyone is panicky about in this country: Teach a child to read, write and some basic math: Everything else the child is interested in can be picked up by going to a library or talking to similarly interested paople.

  I am not worried about the decline of American technological advantage. It was never there. Individuals not countries or cultures are the creators of great stuff. Create an environemnt where those people want to live and it will all work out.

  If you get one thing out of this letter: Get some Lego mindstorms: Simple, great fun and the beginning of the next revolution.

  Hajo Smulders

  —Hajo Smulders
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