Dorkbot. 

A gathering of Indianapolis’s finest electronic manipulators that meet at service center in hopes of sharing ideas, tips, trades, and mostly to talk about robots. Dorkbot meets here at Service Center every 3rd monday of the month and they usually have 2-3 presenters talk about whatever idea they are wrestling with or if they want to show off something cool. Last month we had a presentation about a group of that reprogrammed a wii remote to communicate and with an original SNES, a soldering demo, and a hands-on demonstration about circuit bending that ended up with a squeaking and squawking group of furbys. 

I would consider myself computer-literate. I have a basic understanding of electronics and how circuits should be completed (I used to wire dynamite for a living). I thought I was ready to talk shop (resistors? arduinos? come on, give me a hard one coach) and run with the big boys. well…. turns out my initial understanding of what was really going on at Dorkbot was wrong. Having fun is the only requirement for these meetings.

It’s not uncommon to hear during any presentation: Can you elaborate on that a little more?  What is this diagram exactly? Can you help me? Even with tonights presentations, you could bring in a group of middle schoolers and have them circuit bending and modifying their old toys in a couple hours. I’m not saying that the presentations are “dumbed down”, they are well-thought out and are as accessible to both a beginner and an expert. 

The meetings go over a variety of topics too. Tonight’s meetings started off with an ice breaker to introduce new members to the group and where their backgrounds are from. Some had backgrounds in programing, some in music, some in engineering, and even a couple artists are here, but it’s always a casual environment. The presentation moved into an idea sharing session, not unlike Innovate Indy that happened at service center a couple weeks back. One of the presenters encouraged everyone to think beyond being selfish with their own talents, we should all be thinking of how we can better the community around us…… 

The other presentation of the night was about making your own circuit board. The whole presentation was full of great information. Nothing seemed to be overlooked. I guess dorks really do pay attention to detail, one of my weaknesses. He eventually created a “punk atari”, an easy entry project into the world of circuit bending. It kinda stinks that Nathan wasn’t here tonight. Dorkbot has been a great excuse to catch up with him every month. 

Either way, Dorkbot is for dorks, but it’s not just for dorks. Well… maybe it is. Dorks are people who are passionate about a particular subject. I call them punk rock professors, willing to teach anyone about their skills and passions. So if you’ve got a passion that you want to share (I think i’m going to present about welding when I get my welder out at service center) come on out to dorkbot, where you will never find a more wretched hive of dorks and nerdity. 

Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try. 

-Yoda