Building Radios to Talk to the Dead

Presented at HOPE Number Nine (2012), July 13, 2012, 4 p.m. (60 minutes).

Apophenia is the human ability to perceive patterns and meaning in completely random data sets. The effect is often explored by “ghost hunters” who use electronic tools to find patterns in the environment around us and exploit them as a way to communicate with spirits of the deceased. This discussion will cover the radio-based and electromagnetic technology commonly used for the reception of EVP or “Electronic Voice Phenomena.” These devices are often modified radios or home constructed circuits which follow a mixture of basic engineering, empirical results, metaphysical concepts, and, in some cases, pure hucksterism. This talk will look at several of these devices, their underlying circuits, their design philosophy, and the culture that surrounds them.


Presenters:

  • Wil Lindsay
    Wil Lindsay is a hacker, performer, media artist, and educator residing in central Pennsylvania. His recently successful public projects include: oneString, an open source USB synth controller; the Bliptronome, an open source port of the Monome controller to a $50 toy; and YM-MINI, a DIY synthesizer based on the sound chip from the Atari ST. He was the first artist-in-residence at Philadelphia’s The Hacktory, and has performed many hardware-based 8-bit media performance at festivals and shows under the pseudonym VBLANK. His work can be found at www.straytechnologies.com.

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