Plans, plans, plans

I need goals. (12th October, 2016)

I started reading Zero to Maker - Learn (Just Enough) to Make (Just About) Anything and I'm hooked with the idea. As a first-year engineering student with a mountain of self-doubt in my creative aptitude, the concept of a community of makers that are open to beginners is a massive relief.

Goal 1: Find and join a community
From what I've seen, the Maker Faire in Sydney ended around September, but hopefully, like the book mentions, there are monthly events close by. By the end of the month (October), I'll have joined a group and introduced myself.

The book is very well written and so well structured it makes me envious. I recommend it if what I've written sounds interesting (if it doesn't, that's my fault as a writer for failing to capture their message). They use the word 'makers' instead of 'engineers' to make the idea less daunting/exclusive and it works, I think. Everyone and anyone can get involved, and that is the point of a large part of the movement (and it is a movement); to educate and inspire more engineers and creative designers; to get people out of a use-and-drop attitude towards appliances and towards the world.

Goal 2: Compete in GrabCAD/Extreme Redesign challenge
This will allow me to put any 'maker' attributes I've learnt at uni to the test: we 3D-printed a product that we thought of ourselves, taking into account appropriate design requirements and the economics of production; we had to present these to our class, as if to a company, asking for the green light for production. The deadline for GrabCAD is on February 15th 2017, a fortnight after I return from India. I'll have to read and brainstorm and do everything from a tiny room. I'll have requirements and challenges written up by November 20th.

GrabCAD is a great place to go if you want available 3D-printable models. I'm sure they have way more stuff than that, though. Check them out.

Goal 3: Write about one book or film per month. 
I mean, that's what I set out to do by reviving this thing, but it's been blank for almost a month, until now. I re-read the series (and want to re-read it again!) but The Book of the New Sun is way too complex and I don't even fully understand it. So while the main goal here will be to publish one review/recommendation by the 20th of each month, a sub goal will be to read The Urth of the New Sun. (BTW, do read TBOTNS if you can. It's complicated and interesting and the author is intelligent and fluent. However, it's not for everyone. Also, avoid ALL spoilers.)

I think that's enough for one month.

Take care.

RJ