The Restart Project Podcast

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Restart Radio: 3D sound, hardware and software Jun 01, 2017

Show notes

What's the difference between a prerecorded birdsong and a real one? 3D sound aims to bring audio technology even closer to real life. But does it really work, and will it render all our regular listening devices obsolete? Today, our researcher Lauren is joined by Dougie Brown from Cassini Sound, and regular Restart volunteer Ben Skidmore. The beginnings of 3D sound technologies have been around for nearly a century; but only now are they starting to reach the popular imagination. Dougie talks about his work in creating 3-dimensional soundscapes for games, and sheds a bit of light on the reasons behind this sudden resurgence. One way of achieving three-dimensions in sound is Binaural recording, which you may have come across without realizing it. Binaural recording uses a dummy head, which is designed to capture the exact way in which sounds from a point in space reach our ears at slightly different times, and at different volumes. Previously, sounds recorded using a Dummy head only worked properly through headphones. But now, thanks to an algorithm developed by a rocket scientist from Princeton, a range of headphones and speakers are appearing on the market that can give any audio - binaural or otherwise - a three-dimensional quality. The 3D sound equipment on the market is interesting, but it’s not going to fundamentally change the way we experience audio overnight. Ben and Dougie tell us about some of the potential shortcomings of these technologies. And if everyone rushes out to buy the latest 3D headset only to realize that it was a misinformed purchase, that’s a whole lot of new discarded electronics. Luckily, recent innovations in 3D sound tend to exploit the fact that 3D effects can be achieved through software; not just hardware. Dougie explains that the 3D effect of sound in games doesn't rely on any special equipment, it simply interacts cleverly with the equipment the user already has. The fact that 3D sound is based on an algorithm means that new headphones or speakers are not really necessary at all - you can simply attach a special filter to your existing ones. It's a refreshing step towards more modular design. 3D sound is only just emerging, but it shows promise. And it doesn't just have potential for the worlds of gaming and music. There are some truly exciting developments in other fields: a 3D headset for the blind creates a soundscape of the city that can be used for personal navigation.

Restart Podcast Ep. 21: Tim Hunkin and the Secret Life of Machines May 24, 2017

Show notes

The universe of Tim Hunkin is one of whirring gears, flashing lights and strange characters: but underneath the fun and frivolity is an in-depth examination of the history of society’s relationship with technology. Many of our Restarters fondly remember Tim Hunkin as the host of the ‘The Secret Life of Machines’, which aired for the first time in 1988 and ran for 18 episodes. Tim and his friend Rex Garrod would take apart some of the machines that we blindly take for granted in our every day lives, demystifying their inner workings. By unveiling the long histories of these gadgets, Tim turned his audiences into more appreciative users: people who could get excited about a simple ride in an elevator or the miracle of a telephone call. Aside from television, Tim has dabbled in engineering, illustration, and museum curation. You can still visit ‘The Secret Life of the Home’: a permanent exhibition that he put together in the basement of the Science Museum. But Tim’s great passion is invention. He talks to us about how tinkering and making are creative processes and offer satisfying intellectual challenges. He also talks about the sense of pride and ownership that comes with making and fixing something oneself. At Southwold Pier, he built his own wacky arcade – The ‘Under the Pier’ show. And in London, his ‘Novelty Automation’ arcade is tucked away in Holborn. Novelty Automation tribute to the local history of popular entertainment in the city and a challenge to more corporate, large-scale entertainment industry that impinges on it. Tim’s handmade games span the length of his career and offer satirical glimpses of both the world today and the world of yesterday. In one game, users are asked to offer up an object from their pocket to an automated art-critic who decides: ‘Is it art?’ - In another, players are invited on a five-second virtual ‘mini-break’ to a tropical destination from their armchair. Tim’s love of gadgets is inspiring – for Tim, technologies are not simply final, complete, perfect entities that we must either accept or reject. They are alive, constantly evolving along with society, and made up of intricate and complex components that are both miraculous in their workings and valuable in their materials. A happier relationship with our electronics means learning to celebrate this, and engaging with gadgets beyond their seemingly impenetrable exteriors.

Restart Radio: DIY radiation monitoring with Safecast and ransomware attacks May 18, 2017

Show notes

This week, we talk about two kinds of risk: one environmental, and one technical. From Citizen Science projects to community-run operating systems, we examine how we can have more of a say in how to keep ourselves safe. The Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear power plant, destroyed by the dual earthquake-tsunami disaster of 2011, continues to leak dangerous levels of nuclear radiation. In the aftermath of the catastrophe, citizens quickly noted the absence of localized data that would signify if their environment was safe. The global supply of geiger counters, which give readings of radiation levels, sold out in twenty-four hours. So a group of people decided to take the issue into their own hands, designing a kit with open-source software that anyone in the world could replicate: the project was called 'Safecast'. Today, Safecast has surpassed all previous data-sets about environmental radiation combined. Because it exists in the public domain, it is used as a trusted source by reporters, academics, nuclear governing bodies, and even state governments. The 'bgeigie' is designed to be easy for anyone to assemble: all you need is a few hours to spare and a soldering iron. Users can buy the parts online from the Safecast website, or source them themselves, using the freely available instructions and software package. Born out of hackerspace culture, the lifeblood of Safecast is it's community of volunteers and users. Online platforms allow them to share tips on assembly, repair and maintenance of the 'bgeigies'. And unlike with other event-related technologies, where the hype dissolves and leaves behind thousands of disused devices, the fact that users have built the device themselves means a much higher rate of usage. We tend to care more for the things we make ourselves. Excess nuclear radiation may not currently be a huge problem in London, but citizen science technologies can be used for a huge range of environmental risks. 'Plumelabs' are working on a piece of hardware paired with mobiles that enables citizens to become part of a local, dynamic air pollution sensor network. Finally, we talk about the scariest tech news of the week: the Wcry ransomware attack that brought NHS trusts and hospitals to a halt all across the UK. The story of how the attack came to happen is a complex combination of economic, political and technical factors, which points to serious problems in the way that these systems currently function. We talk about how average computer users can protect themselves from ransomware, as well as the obligations that governments and corporations have to protect the infrastructure that keeps our societies running.

Restart Radio: Digital archaeology with Jim Boulton May 10, 2017

Show notes

Janet and Neil are joined by Jim Boulton, ‘digital archaeologist’ and curator of the exhibition 64 Bits, a project that chronicles the history of the World Wide Web. Looking back at our recent visit to 64 Bits at HereEast in Stratford, we talk about some of the things that stood out both for their nostalgic value, and what they can tell us about our experience of the web today. Featuring 32 computers and 32 artwork (a total of 64 ‘Bits’), Jim’s exhibition features Tim Berners-Lee’s first ever website, displayed on the browser and NeXT computer used to code it. From there on, each website through 2005 is paired with a computer that matches it historically. For younger viewers in particular, the earlier examples may seem strange, distant and primitive. For those of us who remember these developments, it can be oddly comforting. Jim talks about the thinking that led to the inception of 64 Bits: a 2002 exhibition at the Barbican called ‘Game On’ showcased the speed at which video games had developed. But nothing similar yet existed for websites, despite the fact that they had evolved at an even faster rate. The sheer speed of the development of the web is what stands out at 64 Bits. And just as the internet has not stopped evolving, neither has the exhibition. In each of its iterations since it was first displayed in 2010, 64 Bits has grown in size. It remains a living, embodied archive. From Jim's style of digital archaeology, we have more to gain than a mere whimsical look back into the past. As computers get more powerful, the layers of code within them become less and less visible, and the multitude of components they contain become more compact. Understanding the evolution of hardware and software helps us to imagine a more durable and lasting relationship with technology. In removing some of the mystery, we can understand computers and other gadgets as valuable objects that are inextricably intertwined with our evolution as a society.

Restart Radio: TFix and ‘better than new’ repairs May 04, 2017

Show notes

Today we talk to Tad Vaas from TFix, a repair centre in South London that mixes corporate and consumer repairs with a very interesting twist. TFix performs professional soldering operations that require specialist knowledge and equipment. Tad and his team have developed a way to go deeper into the repair process than other repair shops, using a highly complicated soldering technology called BGA. BGA provides a physical as well as an electrical connection, which allows individual minute components to be replaced on the motherboard. TFix is comprised of three laboratories, one for consumer repairs, one for corporate repairs, and one for R&D. They are so good at what they do that companies will actually come to them to rectify products after they have been released onto the market. At the research level, TFix are constantly working to identify trends in failures, and to develop new ways of addressing them. We talk to Tad about the problem with public perception of repair businesses, and how repair companies might attract a trusting client base by making sure they reach standards of professionalism. We also talk about learning repair, which for Tad has been a very hands-on process of trial and error. TFix see themselves as pioneers in the repair industry, using experimentation and creativity to not just fix products, but to actively improve designs that fail. Their work is underpinned by an ethos of waste reduction that resonates with all of us here at the Restart Project.

Restart Radio: The parallel worlds of the tinkerer and the grower Apr 28, 2017

Show notes

Most people think of electronics and gardening as two very distinct hobbies, belonging to two very different worlds. But there are some striking similarities. Today we are joined by Lou and Ed from Friche: an art and design studio working towards eco-structures for urban spaces, and our neighbours in our workspace in Bermondsey. Lou and Ed encourage us to re-think the arbitrary distinction we draw between ‘natural’ and ‘manmade’ environments, and to learn to see the resources and materials we use as a connection between the two. Drawing attention to the processes of growing, they create indoor and outdoor green spaces that are co-designed with communities to suit their needs. We talk about how these ideas can be applied to the problem of e-waste. Many people forget that their phone contains many naturally-occurring minerals and materials, and the labour of manufacturing is just as invisible to us as the processes used to grow our food. At the Restart Project, we like to see ourselves a bit like ‘permaculture for electronics’. There is another fascinating parallel between the worlds of the Gardener and that of the electronic Tinkerer. Ed and Lou explain the ways in which tree roots can actually communicate with each other along fungal networks called Mycelium, which function a bit like cables. Trees can pass nutrients through these networks to smaller sapling plants that cannot reach the sunlight, and send chemical signals a bit like we might send an instant message. Finally, Lou and Ed talk us through the processes and equipment of hydroponics. From electric toothbrushes to large-scale LED-lit greenhouses, growing today is inextricably linked to technology. The idea that natural and built environments exist in separate spheres is well and truly out of date.

Restart Podcast Ep. 20: Maker culture in Shenzhen and sustainable design Apr 20, 2017

Show notes

Shenzhen, China is home to over 4,000 product design firms and has been labelled the ‘city of design’. But does this create opportunities for more sustainable, open and modular gadgets, or it perpetuating a culture of cheap and disposable production? Today we talk to David Li, founder of Shenzhen Open Innovation Lab, and he provokes us to rethink and update our notions of manufacture in China. Here in the UK, many people have a perception of Chinese manufacturing as cutting corners, underpaying workers, and producing cheap, low-quality items. But this ignores the economic structures that govern production - and our role in them. Reconfiguring the manufacturing landscape requires international collaboration; and we may have a thing or two to learn from makers in Shenzhen. The Open Innovation Lab was set up in 2015, and has worked to set up links between Chinese and global makers. Built on the concept of ‘manufacture as service’, Open Innovation Lab believes that factories are neutral spaces that can be pushed into more sustainable production by the demands of customers. Rather than trying to shift production back into small workshops, makers in Shenzhen are finding new ways of working with manufacturers. David also talks to us about how smaller entrepreneurial makers and designers can work together to challenge the dominance of big companies. Rather than reconfiguring the entire industry in one go, progress is sometimes incremental. David is optimistic that modular design is getting a lot of international attention. Now it is time to turn ideas into reality, which – he acknowledges – is the hardest part. But if David is right about the customer being the ‘brain’ of the factory, then it is up to us to decide what kind of values we want to see embodied in the stuff that gets made. Later this year, we will feature a follow-up to this provocative chat, with London-based makers and designers. Watch this space!

Restart Radio: Sensing gadget failures and frustrations in Belgium Apr 13, 2017

Show notes

Today we talk to Simon November from Test-Achats (Test-Aankoop) in Belgium, an association that uses crowdsourcing to identify ‘hot-spots’ of consumer frustration and investigate the gadgets that keep breaking. Test-Achats has been defending the interests of consumers in Belgium since 1957, and is entirely funded by its 350,000 members. But you don’t need to be a member to participate in the project called ‘Trop Vite Usé’ – or ‘worn out too soon’. The website, set up in November last year, lets anyone lodge a complaint about a device, and has received more than 5,000 contributions concerning all kinds of items. The idea is that Test Achat investigates the gadgets that receive the most complaints. What the association really hopes to uncover is ‘planned obsolescence’ – the idea that gadgets are designed to break. But this can be hard to prove, so another aim is to just reveal early obsolescence, and put pressure on manufacturers to make products with a longer lifespan. At our own Restart Parties, we’ve seen similar patterns with ‘hot spots’ of gadget failure emerging. We talk to Simon about how best to harness ‘the crowd’ in these kinds of projects, how to turn frustration into productive action, and how to speed up cycles of response form the manufacturer. We also talk about perceived obsolescence, particularly with gadgets that are seemingly ‘too slow’. As well as pushing for better-made gadgets, we need to learn how to handle the ones we own.

Restart Radio: The Past and Future of London’s Computer Fairs Apr 05, 2017

Show notes

After the demise of the repair shops on Tottenham Court Road, London’s repair businesses took a blow. But a visit to Stratford Computer Fair reveals that face-to-face electronic repair and sales are not yet things of the past. The closure of shops on Tottenham Court Road, and the disappearance of the computer fair hosted by the UCL Student Union in Bloomsbury, was preceded by a slow but steady demise. Brick-and-mortar businesses disappeared as online competitors snapped up more and more of their customers. In many ways, the Internet has made it easier to source parts and find repair information. But it has major drawbacks. It is often very difficult to identify the right part, and with difficult repairs, YouTube videos are often simply not enough. This week we visit Stratford Computer Fair, a weekly meeting point for traders and customers where they can pitch their services and do repair onsite. We talk to several traders, old and young, about the history and the future of the fair, and hear some interesting opinions about the role of the Internet in the changing landscape of London’s repair economy. It is clear that there is real value in face-to-face contact. More difficult to assess is when it is right to try DIY repair, and when should you consult a professional. Along with this question, we ask how repair people can involve their customers more in the process.

The Restart Podcast Ep. 19: High school repair and the next generation of Restarters Mar 30, 2017

Show notes

Today we head to the US, where a group of high school students and teachers talk to us about an exciting project that began as just a pop-up stall in a library. We first met Jeannie at Mozilla festival in London. When she returned to the US, Jeannie combined some of the Restart ethos with her own work. With the help of students like Daniel at Fieldston school, she set up a student-repair tutoring centre. From its humble origins – a table in the library with a handmade sign – the Restart centre grew to involve more and more of the student body. Jeannie and Daniel tell us one day when they set up shop in a field where students were invited to come and repair a stack of 40 chrome books. They are careful to stress that the centre is not simply a free repair service. Students can book slots in free class periods to fix a broken gadget with the help of a student Restarter. Daniel explains that the goal is to transfer as much knowledge as possible, while getting more and more students excited about the possibility of learning to perform repair themselves. Since Fieldston’s success, a number of other schools have picked up on the idea of a Restart Centre. It’s a promising prospect, and everyone wins: kids leave high-school with skills that can kickstart their professional lives, or with a growing environmental consciousness, or with simply a new hobby. And hundreds of gadgets are saved from the dustbin each year. It seems high schools could be the key to expanding the Restart community.

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