While Waiting...

[x_maker]

For a backwards, butt-end of civilization example of a town, this place really isn't too bad. I can get a good enough cellular signal on the PDA to network out, so waiting for Dani to finish all her legal stuff here isn't the torture it seemed at first.

Next semester's schedule looks... wait. This is not the schedule I saw before I left. Mr. Summers? Why am I taking Phys. Ed? I didn't sign up for Phys. Ed. And why is there no teacher listed? Is this a joke?

And it appears I've been transferred up into Mr. Dayspring's history class. AND humanities? AND English composition? AND Music 201? Not a practical class to be seen! Well, except for the Flight class with Mr. al-Rashid. Looking forward to that one.

Dr. McCoy, PLEASE tell me that you've got something interesting for my independent science work.

Comments

[x-forge.livejournal.com]

So long as we're not having to share showers.

Oh man. This is going to take some time in the shop to work on. I just realized that I can't run.

[x-wildchild.livejournal.com]

You can't run? What? How's that work?

Or not work, or whatever?

No sharing showers. I'll just shower up here in a bathroom with a door I can lock, thanks.

... dude, is your leg waterproof?

[x-forge.livejournal.com]

I take the electronic modules off when I shower. The motors are sealed, as are the shock absorbing pistons, and all the bushings and gears are stainless steel and aluminum. But still, it's why I use the graphite stuff.

And no, I can't run. I haven't even TRIED in the past year and a half.

[x-wildchild.livejournal.com]

You could've stopped at "I take off the electronic parts." and it'd have made much as much sense.

You haven't had to run anywhere? Suck.

You are definitely...

[x-jetstream.livejournal.com]

going to want to fix that.

Take it as a challenge - model your artificial foot like a human one, but one that outperforms it in all particulars. For a guy of your supposed genius that should be doable, no?

I heard you were good with design work. Think you can have blueprints and a bill of materials in my office in, say, a week or two? Let me know ASAP.

And as far as the rest of it goes - you can be the best engineer in the world - and if what your file says is true you just might be it - but if you can't write, can't communicate, and can't relate to the Pointy-Hairs or to anyone who doesn't share your set of gifts, then you're nothing at all.

However - having said that - don't stop mocking the liberal-arts types. Keeps them humble.

Salaam,
Haroun al-Rashid, BS, MS AeroEng.

Re: You are definitely...

[x-forge.livejournal.com]

I don't do blueprints or schematics for my prosthetics. Don't see the need. Normal people don't write themselves notes every time they tie their shoes.

And are you and Dr. McCoy teaming up on the whole "must learn the liberal arts" speech? I think I avoided being cashiered into his drama class by the skin of my teeth.

*sighs*

[x-jetstream.livejournal.com]

You really should. Because while you may not see the need, any future supervisors of yours will definitely see the need. Because while you may be All That on your own, a well-funded R&D department can probably out-think, out-document, and out-produce you any day. If you give them specs and schematics, then they can take those as a starting point and evolve the design from there rather than committing butchery on your beloved designs.

You ever hear of evolutionary design theory?

I think mine is up to about four volumes at this point. About five thousand or so pages of notes, not counting the blueprints themselves.

And while I haven't talked to Dr McCoy about it directly, the fuzzball speaks Truth. You may think they are a complete waste of time, and in some (OK, many) cases I may even agree with you.

But they're mandatory for a _reason_. We're not just yanking your chain here - McCoy himself has extensive work experience out in the Real World, and I've got some as well. We're telling you _what works_ because we've seen it, we've used it, and we know firsthand.

Salaam,
Haroun

Re: *sighs*

[x-forge.livejournal.com]

There we have a fundamental difference of opinion. I don't plan to HAVE any supervisors. Nor do I really enjoy the idea of sharing my designs. Going down that road leads to adulterations and the backbone of the Korean knockoff/piracy market.

And a well-funded R&D department is, after all, only human. Not even a fair contest.

But point taken about the humanities courses. If I'm going to be making a living off of my genius in the future, I'm going to have to generalize when it comes to that stuff. As much as I like the concept of specialization, it seems that from what I've been reading, that winds up lumping you into a specific limited role. No one ever got to the top by being overspecialized. Lee Iacocca said that.

And speaking of Iacocca...

[x-jetstream.livejournal.com]

Even he had supervisors. Mostly the US Government and the Board of Directors.

But in the short-short term, you're going to need to do something to change the design on your leg to allow some semblance of forward movement that's faster than a lope. Bottom line. You've got the design skills, we'll arrange for any advanced fab time you need.

Not only is it an engineering challenge, but it's good for fitness as well.

Salaam,
Haroun

Re: And speaking of Iacocca...

[x-forge.livejournal.com]

I've been thinking of changing the design, and I'll probably sketch something out when we stop for lunch. It'd mean redesigning the 'skin' as well to allow for a greater range of motion, aesthetics be damned.

I mean, I could build a myomer weave system that'd mimic muscle structure and function - which is how I understand your cyberware works from watching you walk - but I'm at a loss when it comes to that complex of a biological interface.

For the moment, anyway.

Ask Dr McCoy...

[x-jetstream.livejournal.com]

when you return, for a sample of SynthSkin.

Same stuff I use to cover the interesting mechanical bits. Stuff looks and feels virtually identical to the real thing, but is heat-resistant (important to me, not to you) and moves just about like the real thing as well.

They can even color-match it to your biologicals.

Now, if they could only make it grow _hair_ - we could fix Nathan's pet rock with it.

Salaam,
Haroun

No interest...

[x-forge.livejournal.com]

...in trying to pretend to look normal. No one asks Clarice to paint herself 'normal' when she goes out, or Dr. McCoy to get a full-body wax. Sure, folks love using the little image inducer things - but as for myself, I have no intention of trying to pretend to be something I'm not.

Hey, if you want to get outre with it...

[x-jetstream.livejournal.com]

Stuff comes in just about any color you can synthesize.

Including chrome.

Point is, out of all the coverings out there, it's the best stuff I've seen for allowing maximum ROM while still providing watertight coverage for the stuff underneath.

Mimicry of normal standards is a cherry on top of that sundae.

Salaam,
Haroun

Re: Hey, if you want to get outre with it...

[x-forge.livejournal.com]

The electronics modules I have are hermetically sealed and removable - and it's not like I'm going swimming on a regular basis. If I had a complex system like yours, I'd consider it, but as it is, the stuff's too expensive when you're constantly tweaking and upgrading. Plus, it's a bit of lying in the bed one made for me, as it is.

Oh, hah.

[x-cable.livejournal.com]

So not biting, junior. I have no bald spot.

Increasing amounts of gray hair, on the other hand...

Re: *sighs*

[x-beast.livejournal.com]

Documentation is crucially important, Forge, I assure you. If you are ever in an accident, we will not be able to repair your damaged parts if we don't know how, and you may not be conscious enough to do it yourself. Also, should you ever suffer a head injury and suffer loss of memory, you'll want it.

And it worries me sometimes that these are things we have to plan for around here. *sigh* Oh, well... at the very least, I'd like to see it, to satisfy my personal curiosity as to what you've been up to. Perhaps we may consider it a form of independent-study homework for the first two weeks of term? And yes, I do have some interesting activities planned for you.

[x-mirage.livejournal.com]

...you need to run.

[x-forge.livejournal.com]

You know, passing the PDA back and forth to have a conversation on the journal system when we're sitting right next to each other is as stupid as when Kyle IMs me from across the room. I probably should have brought the laptop, now that I think of it.

[x-mirage.livejournal.com]

it's even stupider when you're driving.

[x-forge.livejournal.com]

That was part of the reason I created Logos, you know. Originally I had it linked into the GPS system in my dad's SUV - don't give me that look, it's perfectly okay to own an SUV - but he kept insisting I took it out because every time he'd sing along with the radio, it'd tell him to drive in circles and make insane left-hand turns.

I did that intentionally, mind you.

[x-mirage.livejournal.com]

of course you did. like you also purposefully didn't tell me about the my box or that you PAID for EVERYTHING!

I'm going to pay you back you know.

[x-forge.livejournal.com]

Consider it looking after the welfare of the tribe.

[x-mirage.livejournal.com]

...you're coming to a powwow then. yes.

but I won't make you dress up.

[x-forge.livejournal.com]

The old guy I was talking to - David? - was explaining them to me. It sounds... odd. Said there's one at the end of the summer. May be worth a trip.

And no, I'm not dressing up.

[x-mirage.livejournal.com]

well, my dress doesn't fit right now, so it's not fair to make you. but you'd look so cute manly in war paint.

I wonder if there are any in New York are sooner? they are all over the country