Office Arms Race by Burn Unit
September 4th, 2007 12:56 AMLowteck talks softly and delivers a big task. But his insults went too far, accusing me of terrorist sympathies and ties to Stalin. I admit I am a participant in the internationalist movement for the sake of uncompromising war on art under the dictatorship of the proletariat, but Stalinist? And I was only in that cave to borrow a cup of olive oil when bin Laden showed up. (I spin kicked him in the face Chuck Norris style but the wily former construction magnate dodged away.)
But Lowteck came after my family and that was too much to bear. Time to get medieval on his ass, which I did, by building a medieval siege weapon out of office supplies.
Here's youtube links:
I keep falling asleep now, as I enter this documentation. I hope you, the players, will not, as you review the sordid tale of my dueling by trebuchet! I've risked all for honor, may honor be satisfied! So very tired...
**update: did I mention there's Fire? well there is.
**update** apres the duel voting period: I believe the tally was 15-5 or 15-4 in favor of Lowteck, a well deserved victory.
So here is what he and I were talking about in email. I said I had some philosophical considerations after the duel and he was curious if I thought it was unfair--I don't; I thought it was totally fair.
The following is more or less exactly as I related to lowteck: "Couple things leapt out from comments and after I got some sleep. It's a really good case study on what are people Voting for in a duel. in this case the subject of the task chosen for the duel has a direct relationship to dueling: it's about making a weapon.
However, it's not necessarily established that the weapons we were supposed to make were going to be used in a duel, though that's the most readily at-hand expectation. It's like --does one vote for the task qua task, or for the appropriateness of the product(s) of the task for performing a duel?
In my case, I made two missteps 1) I didn't make a weapon that was actually designed to be much of a weapon. Fire notwithstanding, it was a symbolic weapon. I said I had "beauty ammo" and I wanted to have the colored paper for that purpose. 2) But I didn't play up that angle in the documentation.That was what I was referring to in not wanting to go back and change my proof after submission. If I'd made a bigger explicit deal out of the Aesthematic nature of the weapon in the proof, I might have fared slightly better (might not, but still). As such, I feel like it ended up being a risk leaving that out of the proof and seeing if people would pick it up and reward it. They didn't, but it would be sour grapes of me to go back and say "it wasn't fair!" because it was fair. I mean, I think it's a good task proof, but it doesn't win a head to head duel as is.
So the question for dueling is:does a voter choose to vote for a task because the results make more sense as part of a duel? i.e., a more effective weapon and documentation that demonstrates how the weapon would be used against the opponent. Think about the Sean/Bubblesort duel: the crazy swamping of tasks was massive proof overkill, AND it represented a direct "attack" on the opponent, in the context of the duel, by setting Sean on fire.
Or do voters approach task duels as a decision between two tasks regardless of their duel-appropriate qualities?
Now, some voters are going to say the latter, some the former, and Both of those voters might have chosen lowteck's task, for their different reason! i.e., they think his is a better proof as is, and/or
a better proof of something useful in a duel.
Not unfairly! I just think that's a key factor for future duels. If I wanted to win (and I DID wanna, dammit) I made a tactical error by not thinking how much the utility of the weapon would factor in to people's voting decisions.
Like if two people did the "accidental picture of a kittycat" task and one person just did an amazing accident and the other person did an amazing thing where they have like a "death cat" lay a trap for their opponent that also somehow randomly posts a picture of the death cat on the internet. Next time I duel somebody, I'm going with death cat."
Which is a metaphor, of course--I feel pretty confident I would defeat even death cat with my current variation on that ridiculous kitty task. But the point remains: experience teaches that duels seem to favor those who treat the outcome/products of the task as directly pertinent to dueling. Future duelists, you are warned! Either do your duels that way, or establish a point on that in your agreed upon terms that the product of the tasks doesn't have to be specific to the duel.
top view
looking down the center arm. Note "pin" made out of rolled up envelopes.
Part I
Download FLV
Gathering materials, setting the stage, etc.
My second
This is an office supply: a tripod that was totally indispensable for me to make the documentation as complete as it is.
office inspiration
This mysterious sign appeared on the walls in our offices. I was out the end of last week, so I have no idea what it was about, though the symbolism is clear enough. I thought it was apt for a high pressure situation like mine: dueling on a deadline.
The braces and stand.
the ballast/counterweight
good heavy batteries, from a supply drawer.
innovation?
a late alteration to the trebuchet arm, changing from the sling to more of a catapult type design. Though I note in the video, the sling worked. So this might have been kind of a lame addition.
Video Part 3
Download FLV
The electrifying conclusion! Update: that colored paper is an intentional, Aesthematic choice for the ammunition.
16 vote(s)
Cthulhu Kitty
5
Ink Tea
5
Jackie H
5
Saul Z
5
Zhee Meatss Needz Cheffing
5
SNORLAX
5
Lank
5
Loki
5
Cameron
5
anna one
5
YellowBear
5
Lincøln
5
Bex.
5
Hey-Look-It's Caleb!
5
teucer
5
Vizzini Siciliano
Terms
(none yet)13 comment(s)
Why isn't Henry down as a collaborator? I see him right there in video!
Henry did not collaborate, he was present due to parental necessity, not collaboration! I refuse any votes which may come due to his overwhelming cuteness, which is on display in abundance. If you are persuaded by the cute, look away!
Funny, Rainbow Bright and I were discussing the virtues of the trebuchet yesterday, not more than a few hours before you post this. Weird coincidence that so many had medieval siege weapons on their minds the last few days.
A fine effort! As ALWAYS superb documentation. What do you think the chances are of sucessfully stopping Lowteck using the trebuchet? Do you feel it strong enough to protect you and your family if he were charging at you with a LT5000 on his side?. And Have you though about using any other modified projectiles? Biological, chemical, super pointy?
(Since its a duel I personally feel that I can only vote on one of these until it is officially settled, but once the winner is officially declared I am comming back to vote. promise.)
yeah, as I reflect, I see a major philosophical point of consideration in using this task for a duel. I don't know how much I should comment until after the duel voting period is complete. I really shouldn't add to the proof much either, now that I think of it.
suffice to say, I think I should probably take the duel AS IS and then discuss/show other stuff once the three day duel vote is up.
who doesn't respect a sicilian?
i always like tasks that do one huge project vs. lots of smaller ones (though lowteck's were awesome too). vote for the fire, too, as well as juxtaposition of modern office supplies with medieval weapon.
Moving parts and fire in general, and siege machines in particular, are all great things. The trebuchet is beautifully constructed, and the fireball a brilliant touch. If the task were, "build an awesome thing out of office supplies," you'd get my vote.
But, coolness is no way to judge a weapon. The real question is, which one would you rather meet on the field of battle?
If I came across Burn Unit and his machine in a dark alley, I'd say, "Wow - a cardboard trebuchet! That's neat." Then I'd go over and talk to him.
If I came across Lowteck, firing pens, with a bayonet and a mace on his back, I'd get the sart out of the alley as fast as possible.
So, with some regret, I've gotta vote for the other guy. (Until the challenge is up - then you both get votes.)
henry is coouul! coohoohuuler thun yuoooooo!!!
the trebuchet was cool as hell.
now time for some satisfaction : )
I attempt to address some of the comments in the update above. It's long, but I think anyone dueling in the future would benefit from my analysis.
VOTE!!!! Great update.
I am comming back to give your your due. I had totally forgotten for a while (as is suspect many have). You did lots of work and the trebuchet is very cool. Sorry I had to go for Lowteck, but i do feel that the weapon aspect of this task made me favor functionality over elegance.
Your post deul analysis, in my opinion, makes this double vote worthy. It is very insightful and well reasoned, and you are most gracious in defeat. You continually show us all the added gravitas that a senator ought to have.
There's only one Wallace Shawn in this duel !
I haven't watched the videos yet, but Sam all of a sudden started playing Civilisation IV yesterday, and you've (thankfully) ended a solid 36 hours of trying to remember the word trebuchet. So thank you, Godspeed, and may you not end up the Wallace Shawn of this duel.