Tom Igoe’s article about physical computing shows how the field has grown through different projects, with some being very successful and others not working out as well. I found it really interesting how he talks about the importance of human interaction in successful projects, like the “Public Broadcast Cart” and “Topobo.” Igoe suggests that when creators make technology that is too complicated or focused only on being impressive, they lose the human connection that makes physical computing special. This made me think about how easy it is for people to focus on making something flashy instead of creating something meaningful or easy to use.
One thing I was wondering about is how Igoe decides what counts as a failure. He mentions that some projects are too self-centered or confusing for users, but I thought maybe even complicated projects could inspire new ideas for others. I also found it important when he talked about “learning by doing.” It shows that physical computing is not just about building cool devices, but about experimenting, failing, and trying again. It made me realize that failure can be just as helpful as success when creating something new. I liked how the article celebrated creativity but also reminded us that keeping people in mind is the most important part.