“Physical Computing’s Greatest Hits (and misses)” was a fun and inspiring read about physical computing and some examples of projects that were done throughout the years. Although this is my first time using hardware to create interactive projects, I have had a lot of enjoyment so far, and reading about these projects motivates me to learn more about Arduino and hopefully come up with my own takes on them. By far the projects that most caught my attention were the theremin-like instruments, the dolls and pets, and the remote hugs.
First, when it comes to hardware, I believe that instruments are one of the most effective and fun tools to exercise creativity. For instance, the drum glove turns a mundane activity into something that people could actually use to learn drumming and spend their free time with. Not only is it entertaining, but it is also convenient, and I believe that people of all ages would find joy in such a technology. The dolls and pets one is also interesting, and it is something that I see many kids or even adults enjoying depending on the context of the product, such as a physical version of Tamagotchi which could captivate both Millennials and Gen Z. Finally, the remote hugs intrigued me. I do not think such a tool would be convenient as a commercialized product, but I do think it opens doors to a set of captivating technologies that could be used in virtual reality games or even in long-distance relationships.
Meanwhile, “Making Interactive Art: Set the Stage, Then Shut Up and Listen” made me reflect on the purpose of interactive art and how it should be conducted to the public. I strongly agree with the author when it comes to how people should approach interactive art. To me, it is intuitive that too much information can ruin an interactive experience. If the author is micromanaging the user and explaining every single detail based on his perspective, then there is no mystery in the project, no room for interpretation, and no way of knowing how people truly approach your work, leaving a diminished experience and a lack of observations.