Comm Lab Week 2: Documenting Another Project (Red’s Class)
I actually wanted to document my fantasy device for PhysComp, but I just got around to trouble shooting the lab for week 2, so documentation will be posted later.
We have a paper to write (5 pages, not bad– never thought I would write a paper at ITP) based upon riding the M5 bus line in the city. I have to admit that I wasn’t too thrilled about sitting on a Manhattan bus for more than 15 minutes. Traffic is ridiculous. It turned out to be more interesting than I anticipated.
In my Columbia U days, I would take the M4 to Penn Station. It took forever, but I always liked riding along the north and eastern boundaries of the park. The M5 was particularly interesting because I usually take another bus or the train along much of its route. The M104 is a family bus pretty much just beyond Lincoln Center. The M4 is the museum-goers ride. The M5 was like a combination of both once you get past the touristy parts of midtown.
I could talk more about people, but the thing that continues to stay in my mind is the fact that people ranged in age and racial/ethnic identity (or so it seemed). A more predominant appearance began as we approached Harlem.
The funniest thing was speed. You would think we would be a little more leisurely driving past Riverside Park, but as soon as we turned off to run along its route, we went from speed to hyper-speed. We almost had an accident and a guy sitting in the back of the bus made sure the bus driver understood he didn’t approve. ; -D
I didn’t take video, because you have no idea in the age of YouTube how much people do not like to be recorded (see my Prayer In the Square video clips). But photos were a bit less intrusive and a few were taken. I have to thank my buddy Nadege for lending a helping hand. I could not have written notes and snapped photos at the same time.
Pics:
