Every so often, I get a reminder to check my own personal assumptions at the door.
I’m a big fan of sci-fi, but I know it’s a small section of folks that also would call themselves fans. So while I’m happy to talk about it, I try not to TALK about it.
The other day I was chatting with my co-worker Austin Glover and she had asked for some clarification on laser scanning and how it related to point clouds.
I find it useful to give folks a “have you seen this” example. Try to link a technology or process to a direct experience they may have had or something they might have seen on TV. I knew what I thought was a great “have you seen this” example, but I had convinced myself there was no way Austin would know what I was talking about.
I was SORELY mistaken.
Me: Is there any chance you watch science fiction movies?
Austin: Oh, my husband and I watch them all the time!
Me: (Huh.) Have you seen Prometheus?
Austin: We watched it last night!
100% true story.
If you haven’t seen the movie, there is a scene where the humans need to map out an unknown structure. They throw a “magic ball” in the air, and it flies through tunnels and creates a 3D model using points that it maps as it flies around.
A point cloud. And a perfect “have you seen this” to connect the dots (pardon the bad joke) on how laser scanning can work. And another reminder to me to keep my preconceived notions in check.
Design Tech Field Guide 