Stone of changes
Introduction:
At some point of my life I was introduced to a system called ‘I Ching’ or the ‘Book of Changes’. Originally written by the legendary Chinese Emperor Fu Hsi (2953-2838 B.C.), I Ching is the most widely read of the five Chinese Classics. In Chinese, ‘Ching’ means book and ‘I’ means change, or changes. I don’t want to go in-depth regarding the I Ching system but will try to lay it out in a simple western way: We as humans think a lot, trying to solve problems of everyday life, personal issues and so on. Still, most of the time we avoid the real questions and as a result have the potential to do the wrong thing. In fact, most do nothing or are passive. It’s very hard to ask yourself a personal question and it is even harder to answer in an honest and objective way. The Book of Changes is not like any western book, it’s a system in which you think about the question you would like to ask the book, throw three coins, calculate ‘a structure’ and reinforce this structure in one of the book’s pages. The page the book offers will provide a kind of text. One should not expect to find a direct answer like ‘Yes! Marry Roberta!’ the idea behind this mysterious text is to put one’s mind in motion, trying to understand what the real answer is in regards to a personal question. One’s mind will start processing the real question and to his astonishment may find an answer for a long waited question.
From personal experience this book has helped me solve some complex and elusive questions and has opened my mind to a new way or thinking.
When Technology and Magic Connect:
“Any smoothly functioning technology will have the appearance of magic.” (Arthur C. Clarke)
What if we could exchange the coin throwing with a technology based system that would be more understandable and acceptable to Western society: can technology change or enhance philosophy in terms of shape? Is it possible to build a ‘magical’ device that could be used following the ‘I Ching’ philosophy?
Prototype:
In parallel to my research on I Ching I worked with some biofeedback devices.
Biofeedback is a system that measures a body’s involuntary nervous system assessing how the body reacts to external stimuli.
The first prototype was simple and direct:
A person interacts with a physical electronic device by touching the device and asking a question. The biofeedback device will check the bio-status of that person and as the person becomes more relaxed the device’s interface reveals an image while in the background the sound of wind chimes grows in volume. By following this process the individual is concentrating on the situation at hand and is induced into a ‘meditation’ state of mind. After some time and as long as the person is deeply relaxed, an output of the relevant text from the original book of changes is displayed. The bio-feedback device is effectively replacing the coin throwing procedure.
I used the GSR2 (a Galvanic Skin Response monitoring biofeedback device) This device was connected to a Wiring board, reading the sound signal coming out of the GSR2. A Flash application connected to the device provides related visuals and sounds on screen.
* I though I might share the audio prototype with all (even people without Biofeedback device / Stone of changes), this Flash application was used during the first prototyping phase. [ 'I-Ching' flash Prototype {Sorry, off line at the moment} ]
You’ll Know When You’re Ready
I was astonished to discover the power of this prototype, I am used to the “I Ching” book and the coin system, but no matter what I do the coins will always fall on the ground and the book will always give me an answer, whether I’m ready or not – it is a simple procedure, On the other hand, the prototype was checking my bio-feedback and every once in a while I just couldn’t get an answer, I was not ready – perhaps too excited or agitated. Getting an answer becomes a challenge: a task one should focus all his mental energy on and as a result my understanding of the question/answer became much more powerful and meaningful due to this new procedure.
When this prototype was fully working many of my close friends had a chance to interact with it and had positive reactions. It was time to push the idea forward in terms of design: refine the conceptual issues then focus on product design.
Stone of changes
‘Stone of changes’ is a modern way of using I Ching, The Book of Changes. It is a device to be used within a personal environment. From the outside it looks like a simple rounded river stone. Inside the stone is a hidden biofeedback device with audio capabilities. A person should ask himself a question while holding the stone in his hand. While the person is becoming more relaxed and free of thoughts an answer based on the original ‘Book of Changes’ is played in a soft human voice.
Project by:
Yaniv Steiner - Concept / Design / Code / Electronics
Silvia Rollino- Guidance / Voice
Ofer Luft - Concept / Code
Riccardo Strobbia - Concept / Debug
Edoardo Brambilla - Craft
Alie rose - Editing
Nick Zambetti - Signal Code
