Parallel Universes

Tucked away down under-used side streets, burrowing away in corners, hidden in plain sight are parallel universes: groups of people bound by a common interest. Small associations kept alive and nurtured by a passionate few over many years. The little organizations that few people have heard of.

The Society of Industrial Archeology, (established in 1971) devoted to documenting, studying and preserving our industrial heritage. The New York Flute Club (establish 1920) to encourage the art of the flute at all levels, from amateur to professional. And NYC Resistor, my latest discovery.

NYC Resistor is a shared space community of people interested in making, understanding and perhaps adding useful change and improvement to the technology we all live with. The slant is toward electronics and computers but their interests are broad and craft nights could as easily include knitting as soldering. Their space is in old downtown Brooklyn NY, on a scruffy side street, on the 5th floor of an old commercial building. Inside is an impressive array of parts and machines, from a 3d Printer to a laser cutter/engraver. And all sorts of apparatus and supplies.

I found them through a linked passed to me by Rob, who saw it on a listing from Dorkbot.org. (yet another universe) It announced the NYC Resistor was holding a class on Blender, a 3d graphics program I have been studying. Classes and membership fees are how NYC Resistor funds itself: paying the rent and funding the communal gear the groups uses.

This is inspiring. Even in a dense urban area, where most people live in apartments, a small group of motivated people coalesce around creating a workspace and support center for their interest. There is always hope for the future.