source: The Dean Kamen Project

Slingshot: you will be hearing about this. A genius rational and deterministic innovator who is tackling the world water crisis. On Netflix, worth watching. Response: He ends hoping for time travel. Granted, it's not H.G. Wells'ian, and I posit that it is also possible now. Think 3d printing and sensory feedback devices - make a "soup" and send it to Mars, print whatever "being" you desire. Heads-up interface with hydraulic suit for controller on Earth, predictive A.I. to deal with communications lag = time/space travel. More core response: Rationalism discards ~60% of reality. It's an extremely myopic, and widely accepted lens, which is self- limiting to the extreme. I shudder, and wonder aghast, as wonder is reified.

We learn early in the film that Dean lacks any sort of marketing prowess. First when talking about the short falls of the Segway launch. And then about half way through when discussing how to overcome those shortfalls with the 'Slingshot' launch and beyond. At that point the light-bulb went off. "Holy sh*t, this entire movie was created to help sell his product." I kind of felt used! Then there's his "messiah" complex. He's convinced (or the film makers are, but I'm positive he funded this project) he's some sort of modern technological savant. Akin to Da Vinci, Einstein, etc.... Are you kidding me? bring yourself back down to the Earth, sir. Don't get me wrong, what's he's pursuing is great! Solving the water crisis, brilliant. It could save millions of lives. But I can't get over the fact that this film is essentially a clever marketing stunt masquerading as a documentary. "Look how bad the water crisis is. Look how great Dean is. Look what Dean built. Buy Deans product."

This documentary works in so many levels. Its provocative, inspiring, philosophical, political, etc. It talks about important recent concepts and issues like global sustainability and different approaches and ways of solving issues when you are developing an innovation as well as how to make it a reality(whatever the subject matter is) even showing flaws on our current system to approach global matters. Not only we get to know a contemporary genius and a glimpse of how his mind works but a person that is fighting for a better world. A must to help bring and make science exciting to everybody. It is definitely a great tool for parents and educators.

Like most, I'd heard of the Segway, even considered purchasing one for myself, but I hadn't given a whole lot of thought to who had actually invented it. And had never heard of Dean Kamen or his work. 'SlingShot' was a wake up call, both to the presence of Dean Kamen, the modern day Edison or DaVinci, and to the seriousness of the issues he's passionate about. STEAM/STEM and FIRST Robotics seem like the next logical step for schools to take and it surprises me that these programs aren't a nationwide standard. I wish I had them when I was in school. But, I think more impressively is what 'SlingShot' did to my outlook on the water crisis. Wow. I never fully understood what people and especially young girls have to go through every day just to drink or wash or cook. Something has to be done and it's my hope Dean Kamen will be the one to accomplish it. This movie makes me want to do something. Watch it and be inspired. We can fix this.

We just saw this documentary movie tonight at Cinequest in San Jose, CA. It was finished just three days ago. The subject is Dean Kamen, a genius inventor. The man behind Segway. The man behind the FIRST Robotics Competition that's making science, technology, math, and engineering into a sport so that kids are sucked in body and soul. The man who has spent nearly two decades developing a machine to purify water in the toughest locales on the planet. That guy. This in-depth look at Kamen the man is inspiring. This is a man who likes to solve problems, so much that he's dedicating every waking moment to solving these problems. He's part Tom Swift. A small part Howard Roarke. A big part humanitarian. No matter what he's doing, Kaman's trying to help people live better lives either through medical equipment, truly assistive wheelchairs, or clean water. These days, Kamen's a man on a mission. Several missions in fact. This documentary walks you through them. The filmmaker, Paul Lazarus, would like every middle school and high school student to see this film. Why? Because it's inspiring. Kamen's a spark plug of positivity in a world where negativity is so readily on tap. Which would you rather have: a bunch of young people out solving the world's problems or a bunch of young people Tweeting their opinions about these problems? I know which I prefer. Go see this movie. Tell Netflix you want it. Tell Amazon you want to get it through Amazon Prime. But do something positive. See it.

This documentary is not only about the inspiring inventor Dean Kamen (Segway, iBot, dialysis machine) or about his incredible solution to the water crisis. SlingShot also motivates its audience to innovate and find unique solutions to problems. No matter your interests are, this movie will satisfy them- covering a range of tops including inventors (and their inventions), FIRST Robotics, the water crisis, dyslexia, STEM/STEAM education, the life of Dean Kamen- all in a comprehensive and charming piece. I laughed more than I expected. SlingShot is phenomenal, you won't want to miss out on seeing it for yourself.

Trailer—The Dean Kamen Project

source: SlingShot

This documentary works in so many levels. Its provocative, inspiring, philosophical, political, etc. It talks about important recent concepts and issues like global sustainability and different approaches and ways of solving issues when you are developing an innovation as well as how to make it a reality(whatever the subject matter is) even showing flaws on our current system to approach global matters. Not only we get to know a contemporary genius and a glimpse of how his mind works but a person that is fighting for a better world. A must to help bring and make science exciting to everybody. It is definitely a great tool for parents and educators.