What is the Grok Project?
The project: I will step through the history of science and technology … and, of course, blog about it. Instead of just studying and summarizing this history, I am going to try to experience it in any way I can. I will smelt iron, perform the oil-drop experiment, build motors, etc…. This will go from the dawn of civilization through the present <reverb>and BEYOND!</reverb>
The point is to give myself a thorough grokking of the science and technology we have today in the context of the past from which they emerged. The point is also to provide my readers with an entertaining and enlightening resource to help them gain the same kind of insight for themselves. I plan to include descriptions, photos, videos, data tables, etc… from all the tasks I’ll complete along the way. And tasks, there will be plenty. This is not going to be easy!
In addition to the regular posts, I will keep a frequently updated page: The Plan and Progress So Far. This is sort of the “executive summary”. It describes what I’ve done so far and provides convenient links to the relevant posts.
The project originally had a planned duration of three years and a published, elaborate, list of planned tasks. Since then, I have decided to do this in a more freeform way.
I invite you to come with me as I try to retell the most human story of all. I could definitely use your support! The journey starts here.
Good points, I think I will definitely subscribe! I’ll go and read some more! What do you see the future of this being?
I’m hoping that I will gain momentum and proceed all the way to the most modern science and technology, of course!
As far as this becoming more than just a blog, I definitely have my dreams of that. But for now I’m just taking it one thing at a time until it takes a more solid shape.
Hey, I linked to your blog. Seems our blogs have a bit in common, except i just just just started it. You should make a subscribe button BTW.
I started this blog pretty recently too. I’ll see about a subscribe button and work on a blogroll of my own. Thanks!
This is the first blog I’ve seen in months that I would actually visit again. Let nothing stop you!
Go to YOUTUBE.
Type in “James Burke connections ep 1 part 1″
Go from there.
I think you can also find “The Day the Universe Changed” by James Burke on YOUTUBE as well.
Thanks! I’ll check those out.
Looks like a very cool project. I think your timeline may be a bit short – this looks like closer to 10 years of work than 3! I suppose if you’re able to hook up with people who already have the skills, for each task.
I will definitely be seeking out experts to guide me through this stuff wherever possible. My goal is simply to complete as many of these tasks as I can. Where I have to choose between them, I’ll try to choose whatever will be more instructive.
Also, if I’m having way too much fun, I might extend the project to five years.
Ian, this is a great idea. I cannot wait to read this on an ongoing basis, I would like to reiterate the sentiment above made by Adam. You should definitely submit this to the Discovery Network.
Good luck bro, let me know if there is any way I can help!
Colin
I hope you don’t miss too much krav because of this!
AWESOME!!!!
Oooh, this is really, really awesome
I’d love to try some of these myself, especially from the beginning of your list… I’d better follow along 
This is an awesome idea. good luck with it. Have you thought about contacting Discovery networks? If you haven’t, you should. At the very least, let them know what you will be doing and send them a link to the blog and to the list of activities. You might get a TV show or something, who knows.
Good luck and great idea. you have +1 Fan
Way to go Ian! I would certainly pick your brain on a lot of tricky things.
janna
This sounds really exciting and fun, Ian! I can’t wait to follow along and grok with ya!
-jason
Sounds awesome. Lemme know if you want help/company on these, esp. the early history making projects.
Will do. I will definitely need help with some of these. Thanks!
This sounds like a lot of work, and will definitely take a lot of time. If you have that much time to spend on this project, you are not spending enough time in the Graybiel Lab. I hope you are doing this for your own self edification. Otherwise I don’t know if you will get enough followers to justify the effort. But don’t stop yet. I would like to see what you come up with. Good luck. –Joel
NOTE: For those who do not know Joel, he is not actually disparaging me or my blog. That’s his sense of humor. He has been very supportive. But I thank those of you who have condemned him to me in private. I’ll pass your sentiments along. :->
What would you call “enough time”?
If I manage to get only the items without question marks done, it will still be a very close call! I likely won’t do nearly this much, but I’m setting my goal high.
This is something I have long wanted to do for my own benefit. That being said, an audience will really help me get it done!