5. Group dynamics and final projects#

This report explains the steps of our group project, from identifying issues to developing problematics and solutions.

5.1 Problem tree exercise#

I decided to do the problem and solution tree around this hand-powewered centrifuge by Manu Prakash which I found very interesting. The problem adressed by this project is the lack of accessible medical tools in remote areas of poor country. Traditional centrifuges, which are essential for separating blood components for disease testing, are often expensive and require electricity which is not accessible for villages far from cities.

On the left we can see the paper-fuge. By building moment with hands movement, the circle is spinning more and more. It is spinning so fast that it can go up to 120 000 rpm ! This ensure the plasma to be seperated from blood in the little sample placed on the edge of the circle, as you can see on the right picture.

The problem and solution trees indicate that causes like poverty and lack of infrastructure are leading to health problems, while a simple, well-designed innovation as the paper-fuge can help solve these issues. This idea is how tools can be used to think about big problems and find solutions. The paper-fuge is a solution that combines science and empathy to improve access to healthcare in these poor areas. This show that a cheap and simple tools can make a big difference.

5.1 Group formation and project first directions#

The first step was to come to class with an object related to an issue that is important to us. Initially, I tried to find an object connected to social inequalities, but this proved to be quite challenging.

Then, I thought about a philosophical question I had studied extensively with Spinoza, which concerns free will which is to me an important social issue. I was aware of experiments like Libet’s, which suggest that free will might not exist, aligning with Spinoza’s determinism. These experiments demonstrate that awareness of the brain’s electrical signals occurs after the signals have already started (see here).

The experiments use an electroencephalogram (EEG) placed on the head. Curious about how to make an EEG myself, I found a 2015 document from the MIT FabLab explaining how to build a DIY EEG.

I decided to present this object in class, not physically, but through a drawing.

The experience was disappointing because no one seemed interested in the question. I think this was mainly because people either didn’t understand the question or didn’t see its importance, at least not as much as I did. My mistake was mixing a topic I am very passionate about with this course. Also, the project was too guided in advance, while one goal was to create a group project based on common issues.

At the end, we formed a group with Alexandru, Mohamed and Hac and tried to find a common issue of our objects. We had a brainstorming session to come up with a problem that would work for us.

We could then identify 3 problematics that concerned us and our objects :

  • Social inequalities
  • Renewable energy
  • Recycling

After the session, I thought again about another problematic that is related to important questions :

  • health care

Indeed, by my friend studying pharmacy, I knew that there was a lot of technical and ethical issues in the medical field, like Big Pharma being deeply compromised by capitalism leading to expensive tools that patients need to take care. The other members of the group agreed to the problematic so we added it to the list.

5.2 Group dynamics#

Here, the first exercise was to write the worst and the best thing that could happen to the group project. Once done, we did a charter based on these two of each member.

You can see that we also decided to assign roles for our meetings, which are as follows:

  • Scribes: Responsible for taking notes on all important information discussed during the meeting and listing the points to address in the next meeting.
  • Maitre du temps: Responsible for keeping track of time during the meeting and informing the group to avoid getting off track.
  • Gestionnaire de parole: Responsible for managing speaking turns and ensuring that all agenda items are covered.
  • Ambiance: Responsible for monitoring the tone of the discussion and addressing any tension that may arise.

5.3 Clarifying the direction#

Finally we did take back the problematics and tried to develop it in order to have a interesting formulation of it. The exercise let us with two interesting ones :

  • social inequalities (1)
  • health care (2)

The second problematics seemed to be more concrete to all of us because we could imagine objects easier than the first one. Nevermind, we decided to keep both and search more about them. The plan was gradually taking shape.