Ken Perlin

Visiting Ken Perlin's lab was so fun.  I had no idea that all of these amazing technological innovations were being created just across from the Gallatin classrooms.  It's exciting to see what is going on right here at at NYU!  I am impatient to see what happens with the un-mouse pad.  It will be such a useful tool for so many different things.  I am a little disappointed I didn't get to try to bird/flight simulator thing.  I love games like Anti-Grav for the EyeToy and the flight game reminded me of that.  It was wild how they accounted for wind and air resistance with the fans.  Definitely a great lab visit, we are so lucky to have such a personalized tour from Ken Perlin himself.  He really seems interested in technology for the pursuit of creativity, always having the artist in mind.  I also found it interesting that the conversation became so political.  He stressed that he didn't find it necessary to stunt technological progress for dear of where the progress may or may not lead.  He said that the inventor of the pen cannot be held responsible for the signing of a war treaty.  It is not an evil tool.  Just about anything can be used for good or evil or even something within a grey area.  The inventor of the tool cannot usually control the tool's usage, and the people who (literally and figuratively) hold the pens are the ones that make decisions regarding usage.