Introduction: Portable Thought Bubble
Ever want to know what your friends are thinking? What about the thoughts of cats and dogs and trees? They have to be thinking of something and now you have a chance to find out with the Portable Thought Bubble.
You've seen thought bubbles in action in comic strips and comic books and other comical environs, but now they can be anywhere you want them to be. So go and unleash the power of the mind.
Free the knowledge!
Step 1: Get Supplies
Get stuff!
The big thing here is the nice circular dry erase board. Thoughts are ephemerally effervescent things that need a home or it's just poof! My thoughts need roughly 10 inches or so so I bought a 11" board. You can even fit a couple thoughts in there if you're careful and efficient.
Of course the thoughts require ink to appear. Some recommend the condensed nature of your ancestors, but I prefer dry erase markers. These new ones even have a little afro/eraser on the tip. Is this new? It's not like I buy dry erase markers that often so maybe this is old news. I'm not that kinda guy, right?
Thoughts need some structure and either some scrap wire or clothes hangers will be good enough.
No structure is complete without the most powerful glue on the planet, duct tape.
To provide some direction for your thought finder you'll need a stick. I have some bamboo that I scavenged and it worked great.
Some electrical tape is a help, but this has no effect on the thoughts or their surprising effect on your unprepared psyche. Watch out, this is some serious Jungian stuff.
Step 2: Make Support Bubbles
Thought bubbles are strong on their own, but every good bubble can do with a couple of support bubbles. You're not gonna leave your thoughts on their on their own are you? What kind of a person would that make you?
I'd say a bad one.
So cut some smaller bubbles out of the white ether that floats through your home and fix them in place on a couple pieces of wire with that wondrous substance, duct tape.
If you want the bubbles to have some extra dignity, wrap some of the wire with electrical tape. It's so ninja-style with its blackness.
Step 3: Duct Tape Is Your Friend
Remember that duct tape stuff? Tear off a few strips and stick the, erm, stick onto it to make a stuck stick.
While you're at it, cover more of the back of the board with duct tape. This gives you more areas to place the thought bubbles as they will stick a little too well to the cardboard and you won't be able to reposition them.
Step 4: Attach Thought Bubbles
This is that whole moment where it all "comes together." But how does this magic happen? With hopes and dreams and thoughts of summers past?
No, it's more duct tape. Go at it.
Step 5: Record Those Thoughts!
Your tool is now ready. So go out and find out what people are thinking. Some people will eagerly display their mental inventory. Others have something to hide. Try and avoid these people as they are less fun.
You are now a thought hunter. You can even use caps and put it on a business card. You are a Thought Hunter!
Go and catch some thoughts!
Step 6: Say Stuff!
Thoughts are truly interesting, but sometimes your friends just won't sit there and think for you. No, they insist on saying stuff to you. It's totally rude because you're holding the camera and trying to get that perfect shot of them in their comfy work mode while they're just living life in their own way, but they just can't stop talking. It's a bastard thing. Maybe because they're from the east coast.
Don't these guys know that all we do on the west coast is chill? Dude, come on.
And what's with all the shouting? I'm like two feet from you. I can hear you.
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54 Comments
11 years ago on Introduction
I would love to do this! I would definitely bring it to school on a collapsible stick I could fit in my backpack! Especially When I have Anime Club! No ones thoughts shall remain their own!!!! MWAHAHAHAH! Also, the last pictures are funny!
11 years ago on Introduction
A couple of years ago at the school I went to there was a play that was scrapped (for reasons I don't recall) anyways, all the props had all been made and since the play was scrapped so where some of the props, well being in theater tech at the time I got a hold of one of the props ( it was a grey cloud) that was to be scrapped and kept it... Anyways I added a pole so I could hold it over my head or someone elses' head... that way they (or I) would have a raincloud over their head....
12 years ago on Step 5
love that one!
16 years ago
this just won the won the funniest instructable of the month award from me! ha ha ha brilliance in action!
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
OMG chuck norris
Reply 16 years ago
Thanks!
15 years ago on Introduction
WHEN U R READING THIS DONT STOP OR SOMETHING BAD WILL HAPPEN...
That's right... like getting your post deleted. Next time you post, don't post spam or incentives to do so. Please be positive and constructive with your comments or risk being banned from our site.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
what happend
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
good one
16 years ago
There is an artists named Aram Bartholl who uses little hacks like this in a bunch of different variations like real world versions of google map pointers, World of Warkraft character names, and green SIMS markers.
check out this super simple hack.
Reply 16 years ago
You know, that Counterstrike thing always bugged me. It's a much better idea in theory. The gun is backwards and you can't see it anyway. I'm wondering if the visual language of video games is common enough for enough people to recognize it. Sure, millions play WoW and The Sims, but I had to look it up to see what he was talking about. It's interesting to see the virtual indicators switch over to the real world, but there's something missing. To me, those projects speak more to the artist's own personal interests in gaming than any potentially bigger message. And in providing some ironic distance from his own interests I feel that he's cheating a little, saying that he's above all that when I don't think he is at all. I think it's funnier when people are more honest about the projects, like this image.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
and if you put it on a spring, it's funny!
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
AWESOME though thats a metal gear thing
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
brilliant!. gotta love metal gear solid. i suppose you could also do one like that but with the question mark instead. pure metal gear genious(sp) .
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
Yeah, but the exclamation mark works in all directions. Pretty classy.
Reply 16 years ago
AHAHA! I've made movie with a friend by holding an airsoft gun in front of a camera and using the camera as your point of view for authenticity and recording the whole thing. Good times, good times...
16 years ago
Have you ever thought on sticking it to a ballon conected to your rist? That way you don't have to use the stick!
Reply 16 years ago
I'm guessing that you've never tried to write on a balloon. The experience is... squeaky.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
true... but using a weather balloon and smaller baloons to make a GIANT thought bubble is an interesting idea.
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
And the ink gets runny when it deflates.