SmokeBreak Acoustical Partition

The following are the steps required to produce the first row the the diffuser. These same steps will be repeated for the "odd" (3,5, 7, etc.) rows. Even rows will follow a construction pattern that is the similar. The difference is that the even rows are designed so that the assembly will require building in an opposite fashion - left to right. I am also looking for a material that can be applied to the inside of the chambers to provide dampening and serve to make it more secure. I am thinking about a form of texture that can be applied as a liquid that will harden.

PseudoCam, wearable behavior modification system

It is fairly uncontroversial to assert that many people will modify their behavior when they are aware of being observed or recorded. As a mechanism of modifying behavior, the implication of observation‐and the implicit threat of punishment or retribution based on the evidence thus obtained‐is both time-honored and effective. The principle, exmplified in social phenomena such as Santa Claus, is one of the reasons that investigative reporters and law enforcement professionals frequently make use of hidden cameras specifically to prevent people around them from altering their behavior so the "true" speech and actions of the subject can be recorded.

But what if inducing others to modify their behavior is actually the primary goal of using a recording device instead of a mere side-effect of the act of openly capturing images and/or audio? The introduction of an obvious means of recording a social interaction alters the event in potentially desirable ways; rude or uncooperative customer service agents, unruly teenagers, and insensitive comments or jokes can be discouraged by the tactical deployment of a camera.

The continuing miniaturization and commodification of optic sensors and audio recording devices already give individuals the capability to capture their interactions with others through a wide variety of ubiquitous consumer devices such as cell phones and tablets in addition to point-and-shoot cameras or handheld video recorders. However, many of these products demand constant manual engagement to hold and operate, which can negatively impact the wearer's mobility. Also, because the devices require power and internal capacity to actively record images, video, or audio, the user is required to devote mental resources to managing the batteries and storage media of the devices. The technical aspects of operating a modern recording device, while suited to the purposes of recording, actually impede a user that is primarily interested in modifying the tone of their social interactions.

Additionally, in some jurisdictions, the state of law has not fully digested recent technological advancement as it relates to photo- and videography within the public sphere. As a result, the use of recording devices in certain public and semi-public contexts, such as at shopping malls, performance venues, or around police officers, can result in a range of legal consequences ranging from denial of entry to actual prosecution for wiretapping or eavesdropping, as illustrated by the state of Illinois' ongoing case against Michael Allison. Although the legal right to record people in public is theoretically held to be valid by the courts (see Glik v. Cunniffe), the widespread confusion apparent in recent court actions encourages a degree of risk avoidance when implementing a camera-based behavioral modification system, if for no other reason then to reduce or obviate the need for an expensive legal defense.

The purpose of the PseudoCam is to provide a low-cost, DIY, camera-like behavioral modification solution for situations where the actual recording of images or audio is superfluous to requirements. By being a small, light object, the PseudoCam can be affixed to apparel or accessories through the use of Velcro or simple clips. The prominent lens assembly and visible recording indicator light makes the PseudoCam readily identifiable as a active camera to a subject being engaged by the wearer‐such as a store cashier or fellow CTA traveller‐but the overall package is small enough to be worn comfortably and discreet enough that the wearer does not stand out in a crowd. Because the recording indicator light is the only active component in the PseudoCam, the power requirements are trivially low and do not require particular concentration from the user. In addition, in order to avoid the legal hazards of recording in public while still achieving the effect of inducing people to behave as if you were recording them, the PseudoCam does not contain any mechanism for recording images or audio of any kind. And, because it is easily constructed with inexpensive materials, the replacement cost for a lost or destroyed PseudoCam is quite low. Thus, the PseudoCam is a valid solution for anyone interested in observing the effects of camera-based behavioral modification without the potentially significant expense involved in using an actual camera.

Sketch #1 Possible Construction Guide

Sketch #2 Overview

Project Sketches (added 2011-09-29)

Kit sketches (5)

The Arduino code is based on both a simple "knock sensor" with a piezo element (here we use laminated piezo film) and the generation of a tone, outputting to the speaker (in this case, the sound exciters).

In this prototype, the Arduino generates a 100KH tone whenever a pulse is detected.

Design Sketches - Chaz

To explain the fabrication workflow here: I'm working with folding seemless paper rectangles into down-scaled maquettes as the plan for folding large paper. The largest brown paper I can find has 48" as its shortest edge, so the proportions developed here have that in mind. The folding scheme here should produce a bag with plenty of space between two participants, but comes down to below the waist. If I can find paper with a longer short dimension it could come down further.

I first deconstructed a bag to understand the general form for folding a paper rectangle into a 3D bag. Then I started sketching/folding in 3D and make maquettes. Using the same folding proportions and techniques should work when working with the up-scaled paper.

2D Layout: basic folding form and proportions for folding a single paper rectangle into a bag with only two points of adhesive.

Mark 1: Single 8 1/2 x 11 paper folded into bag maquette

Mark 2: Single 8.5 x 11 folded into half of a double-wide bag maquette.

Mark 3: Two 8.5 x 11 pages folded into a double wide bag maquette. (4 points of adhesive)

Mark 3: Two large brown paper bags formed into a double-wide bag maquette.

Three maquettes in repose:

Finally, to share a revised concept for having comfortable head clearence: Instead of having shoulder mounts, my new idea is to get costume top hats and chop the brim off to make supportive head mounts.