h a l f b a k e r yMagical moments of mediocrity.
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Zen Tightrope is set up as a perfectly straight wire stretched
between two points. It's easily accessed by two ladders that reach up
to the platforms positioned at either end of the wire. A balancing
pole placed at one end completes the arrangement.
The Zen aspect is manifest by the fact that
crossing the tightrope is
an action that may only ever be contemplated, but never acheived,
even for an expert.
This is because the actual wire is in a constant state of slow speed
rotation, facilitated by an electric motor at one end, and a bearing
at the other.
Zen Koan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C5%8Dan
[jurist, Jul 29 2012]
We'll just need something to counter that rotation.
http://i513.photobu...31/thcthc/27645.jpg
[swimswim, Jul 30 2012]
Tightrope
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tightrope
When you say 'tightrope', xenzag, can you be a bit more specific, please, about what you actually mean by that? [DrBob, Jul 30 2012]
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I'm going to assume that one of the kohns that I'm not familiar with (ie: any of them) is the basis for the idea, so [+], while I contemplate the idea of a tightrope people-mover. |
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//one of the kohns that I'm not familiar with//...like Alfie, Richard, or Melvin? I think you meant "koans". |
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Not George M Kohan, then ? |
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it was in one of the dictionaries I'm not familiar with. |
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Ah, but what is to stop a practitioner from climbing the ladder to the platform which has the wire scroll in-line with the direction of travel thus facilitating a crossing? |
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Just make the wire so thin that it cuts like a cheese slicer. You will not want to step on it, and get sliced; therefore you will not walk its length. |
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Ah, but the zen goes even deeper than that. In that the wire is "perfectly straight" - not only can the act of crossing it only ever be contemplated (not achieved) but the existence of the aparatus itself can only ever be contemplated, (but not realised). |
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In any force field (such as gravity) not colinear with the wire itself, the wire will form a catenary curve, and not be straight - due to self-weight. I actually posit that even in a zero - gravity environment, as long as there is atmosphere, the rotating wire will have a magnus effect pushing it into a catenary curve. (Check Question for the physicists - is there a magnus effect in zero gravity? Let's assume you've found a way to hold an atmosphere, but zero gravity - does a rotating object incur magnus effect - I'm now thinking maybe not). |
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Why bother with having an actual tightrope? Seems
more zen that way, anyhow. |
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The presence of the tightrope is essential, as is all of the
associated apparatus. The zen-ness comes from the
questioning of the reality of walking across an impossible
journey. Yes this is a real tightrope, but
to be called a tightrope means that someone can walk
across it, but no one can walk across this tightrope because
of its rotation, therefore it is simultaneously not a
tightrope. |
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But if you call it a tightrope, is it not then a tightrope?
If not, then what is the intrinsic characteristic of a
“tightrope” that separates it from merely a tight rope?
If a tightrope is defined by its usefulness, a tightrope
that cannot be crossed is, by definition, not a
tightrope. |
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Even more Zen would be to simply build a brick path
under a cherry blossom, and then ask students to
cross the tightrope. |
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Its zen nature is derived from the duality it manifests. ie it
possesses all the characteristics of being a tightrope,
including the necessary physical strength to support a
walker, yet is incapable of fulfilling that function except in
someone's mind. |
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I believe an ant could navigate this. |
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What you need is two platforms set up so that the
shadow of a third structure high above them creates
the illusion of a rope that connects them. |
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// I believe an ant could navigate this |
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Ok, you provide the video of the ant wearing the robes. |
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