October 15, 2023
<aside> ⏰ Creating a dynamic animation that compares national hunger levels to individual hunger, visualized through live statistical graphs
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At the inception of this project, I embarked on an exploratory journey to understand the very essence of time. I delved into the scientific roots of what we perceive as a second, unraveling its definition not as a mere tick of a clock but as a precise measurement tied to the fundamental properties of physics. This inquiry led me to the cesium atom and the resonance frequencies that define the standard second. It was a fascinating discovery to learn that such an abstract concept has a concrete basis in the natural oscillations of an element.
My research expanded into the diverse methods of time calculation and the various types of clocks that have existed throughout history. From sundials to atomic clocks, each innovation reflected the technology and understanding of its era. This historical perspective provided a wealth of inspiration and ideas, fueling my creativity for the project.
Understanding the evolution of timekeeping opened my eyes to the potential of creating something truly novel — a timepiece that would not only be an artistic expression but also a conceptual leap into a new dimension of time measurement.
In the next phase of the project, I transitioned from theoretical research to creative conceptualization. I began to envision the potential form and function of this unconventional timepiece. The core idea crystallized around a clock that doesn't track hours or minutes but measures intervals of hunger — a biological imperative that transcends planetary rotations and revolutions.
The clock I imagined would have a dynamic scale, quantifying the time between meals in units of hunger. After eating, the measurement would reset, moving to the next cycle, thus creating a looped record of one's eating patterns. This personal hunger timeline could then be juxtaposed against a broader, national hunger metric, providing a comparative view that could serve as a personal health indicator and a social commentary on food security.
Envisioning a universe where time is dictated by personal physiological needs rather than the celestial clockwork was challenging. It required innovative thinking to detach from the established norms of timekeeping. The concept also opened avenues for future enhancements, such as incorporating factors like daily physical activity and body weight to personalize the timekeeping experience further. This ideation stage was both demanding and exhilarating, as it pushed the boundaries of conventional time measurement and allowed for a creative exploration of time as a fluid, personal experience rather than a fixed, universal constant.
