Bababa International Airport Minutes: 30/09/2010

6pm, Bababa International Airport, Shop 1/101 Young Street, Redfern, NSW, 2016

In attendance: Mr Giles Thackway, Mr Ivan Ruhle, Mr Thomas Melick and thirty minutes late with apologies, Mr Stephen Russell.

Not in attendance: Uncle Eric

1. Vending Machine:

1.1 Vending Machine Mechanism: Mr Thackway relates an anecdote involving a vending machine observed by both himself and Mr Ruhle earlier in that evening. Mr Thackway claims that the machine, which dispenses zines, seemed to operate on a kind of lock principle, with the deposited money ($1) unlocking the machine's auger. The purchaser would then manually operate the auger using a knob located underneath the coin deposit slot.

1.2 Insight Moment: Mr Thackway, Mr Ruhle and Mr Melick excitedly discuss the possibility for using a similar mechanism for The Soothsayer. Instead of a simple knob-to-auger transfer mechanism the deposited money would unlock a rotary lever. When turned by the user this lever would not only release the selection from the machine but would also serve to power the light and sound components of the The Soothsayer.

* Mr Russell arrives

1.3 Anurag Appears: Mr Russell relates the good news that Anurag, a student of electrical engineering who once expressed interest in signing up with the Bababa International club briefly registered at UNSW, has expressed interest in joining the project. Discussion turns to the possibility of Anurag becoming the sixth member of the collection. Note; discuss formalization of skilled membership pathway program.

2. Minutes Appear: Mr Ruhle proposes that minutes be taken during meetings. Mr Melick mentions that the Fluxus group took minutes and then goes on to elaborate the transcontinental variations in the pronunciation of the word fluxus.

* Minutes begin - retroactively.

3. Cheese Consumed: Mr Thackway, Mr Russell, Mr Melick and Mr Ruhle eat blue cheese and crackers given to Mr Thackway and Mr Ruhle by Ms Mary MacDougall as thanks for assistance with a difficult bookshelf.

4. Assistance Floated: Mr Melick proposes that an intern be contracted to assist with airport related tasks. Specifically; transcribing the minutes.

5. Rates Questioned: Mr Melick relates an anecdote involving Mr Carl Lykert regarding negotiations over payment for a commission. Matter has been suspended until Mr Lykert has consulted with NAVA regarding proper payment.

6. Work Forthcoming: Mr Russell relates that the web-team may have secured their first paid assignment, with Ms Liang Luscombe. Pricing is discussed, all present agree that a price fair to both parties should be requested.

7. Administration Floated: Mr Ruhle proposes the purchase of colour ink for the studio printer. Mr Melick raises the matter of Internet access for the studio. Mr Russell proposes the hacking of locked WIFI signals.

8. References Gathered Together in the One Place: Mr Ruhle proposes a visual reference folder into which various members can deposit images pertinent to the research and development of anticipated projects. To this end Mr Ruhle has procured a folders and labels from a heavily discounted source.

9. Procurement Comprehended: Discussion of Mr Russell's new computer. Mr Thackway expresses confusion on the matter. Mr Russell clarifies with Mr Thackway.

10. Probability Debated: Popular betting game two-up is mentioned by Mr Melick. Mr Russell asks about the mechanics of the game. Mr Melick explains that one person bets a sum on the outcome of a coin toss involving two-coins. For example, a $2 bet on two coins landing heads up. Mr Melick then goes on to explain that a second person can enter the wager, betting against the outcome posited by the first better. So, in the case of the example, if two-heads are not obtained then the second better wins the lot.

Mr Russell questions the fairness of the rules, arguing that there is only a 33% chance that the first gambler could win. Mr Russell consults his i-phone and confirms that the second gambler can only win if two tails are tossed. Thus rendering the odds even and therefore fair. Mr Russell publicly doubts the validity of the previously cited 33% figure, but cannot extrapolate. Mr Thackway expresses confidence with the 33%

* Mr Russell has written in with an addendum to item 10: Having consulted a former mathematics teacher on the 33% probability figure, Mr Russell was informed of binomial probability. Mr Russell learns that the actual chance of the first gambler winning is 25%. Less than the original 33%. Mr Russell has yet to express how this new information effects his opinion on the fairness of the game.

11. Problems Elevated: Discussion of Problem World with two ideas identified for further pressure and pursuit.

11. 1 Problems Gathered: Research into problem solving techniques and methodologies i.e. Venn diagrams. Discussion of possible inclusion of various problem solving techniques into the Problem World game-play, possibly as a reward for achievement within certain parameters related to a players performance.

11.2 Problems Placed: Discussion of a locative version of Problem World, with potential for play to be integrated with mobile mapping technologies thus giving players the ability to mark locations with specific and relevant problems. Subsequent visitors to the site would be able to interact with these problem-spots; pondering, solving, amending and frustrating the problem-proposals left by fellow Problem World inhabitants.

12. Purchase Viewed: All in attendance examine a copy of Harold McGee's On Food and Cooking ordered by Mr Melick on behalf of the catering-team.

13. Bike Racks Conceived: Call for formulation and presentation of concepts for The Bike Rack as Art competition. All in attendance agree that proposals should be ready for the next scheduled meeting on the 8/10/10.

14. Robert Milne Remembered: Mr Ruhle proposes contacting Mr Robert Milne, arguing that it has been a while. All in attendance agree. Discussion turns the merits of Mr Robert Milne.

15. Objects Turned Over: Discussion of objects to be dispensed by The Soothsayer. Mr Russell proposes the pairing of instructions with the objects as a way of imbuing these items with contextual potency and potential. Expresses an interest in exploring ways in which the objects may act as catalysts for future-outcomes, causal provocations which activate on-going processes within the local area. Gives an example involving a can of sugar and a bee-hive.

15.1 The Future Is Our Only Goal (Constructivist Slogan): Discussion of the project's essential concept - that the shape of things to come is contained within the details of the present. Questions are raised regarding the fact that these details do not necessarily lend themselves to a clear picture and that the shape of future may be amorphous, dispersed, scattered, secreted or under the nose. Elaboration on the distinction between the ability to know the future through the examination and analysis of contemporary conditions (prediction and probability) and the possibility that the future is unknowable, or rather too complex and too unruly to know fully. Note: we should factor in desirability also. What is type of future is desired? What models have been built of desired futures, who has built them, on what promises and out of what material? Mr Melick proposes the idea of a derailed future, the outcome that arrives to upset a given trajectory, re-setting the coordinates for what is, what will be and what has been. Discussion turns to how this epistemological distinction might be integrated into the workings of the project.