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<title>SI16 - Learning how to walk while catwalking</title>
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<h1 class="title">My friend came to try it</h1>
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<p>So tell me dear, how was your first term at school?</p>
<p>
It was a trip mom! We jumped on a thing we called Soupboat and started diving into
an ocean of data, inputs, readings, Python, Jupyter notebooks, etherpads,%!*!J)
</p>
<p>What are you talking about?</p>
<p>
I know, it sounds rather abstract. So it is for us. Thats why we called our Special
Issue Learning how to walk while catwalking
</p>
<p>Ha, that sounds funny. Are you hungry?</p>
<p>
You know I am always hungry. So, the title originated from the idea of creating new
things with unfamiliar tools in relation to language processing, while learning it
at the same time. It is about embracing vulnerability, sharing the clumsiness with
little time and little technical knowledge through the medium of a toolkit and
encouraging others to walk with us.
</p>
<p>
I see… Still Im not sure if I understand. Did you make good friends? How many are
you? Are your classmates from Rotterdam?
</p>
<p>
Yes mom, we are a nice experimental group! None of them is from Rotterdam! And we
are basically embracing the chaos and juggling and balancing. It is nice because we
do laugh together but not at each other..We met in a common broken English ground,
like a vernacular English lets say..
</p>
<p>
Good. Then your English should be getting better finally! So the rest also didnt
know how to do all these new things?
</p>
<p>
Some of them did know, but they are kind enough to dont lose their patience and
help the others and thats also the main point, that we want to demonstrate how
mistakes and trials are not just part of the process but can also be results!
</p>
<p>
Im not sure if I agree with that but maybe Im just too old and boring, sweetheart…
</p>
<p>
Thats okay, maybe youll agree once you see it :) But yeah, on that note, we want
to bring the human touch to the machine computing through language processing and
individual perceptions.
</p>
<p>Honey your food is getting cold..</p>
<p>
Yes but you asked about my term before asking if I was hungry so lets go one by
one. Our publication is made for users to be able to understand how these processes
work, and what it is interesting is that we, when starting the project and also
throughout the realization of the ladder, didnt know what the result, the meaning
or the use of it would be. This project is characterized by the use of functions
that process vernacular language. From gathering information by the public, to using
texts produced by other authors, the SOUPBOAT group aims to process this content in
order to showcase the use of these functions and produce new vernacular materials.
</p>
<p>Ahhh yes I remember you mentioning this vernacular thing before,..</p>
<p>
Yessss, you still have some memory left :) so, the topic of this term was vernacular
language and or language processing with vernacular ways. We had a big journey for
understanding vernacular and language processing with big data. We started thinking
that the concept of rejection can be our main umbrella for initiating things and we
created a glossary of the different and unexpected faces of rejection.
</p>
<p>
I also remember you talking about rejection but I am getting a bit lost here, like
how is rejection related to vernacular?
</p>
<p>
Yes, this is an ongoing discussion, but basically we were trying to depart from a
common ground, something that we could all relate to (the same as anything
vernacular)
</p>
<p>But what did you m a k e ? This is rather confusing dear</p>
<p>
LOL wait until I tell you about the API..so we made a toolkit!! A toolkit for
processing language with a vernacular mood. This toolkit is not just a set of tools
but also the world we are building around them: how do we want this tools affects
reality? This toolkit can be expanded, as new tools can be added, and the world
around them stretched. There is a strong focus in the way we are working on it: a
decentralized approach that builds from the ground up. Perspectivism is a nice word
but not sure it makes sense for you.
</p>
<p>Yes I am not sure either..</p>
<p>
Yes that was a bit conceptual but basically - physically, our project is meant to
give bunch of users several tools: ✂scissors, 📃sticky notes, ✏pencils, erasers,
and printed paper. ✂️🖊📝✏️📃 And let them have fun. Cutting it and putting it
together, making notes and writing jokes. But everything in a digital format. And
the cool part is its constantly updated by the magic of API.
</p>
<p>
Ok maybe you can tell me about the API after dinner. Or tomorrow. I think I need a
break now.
</p>
<p>I understand mom, it is okay. Tomorrow Ill explain to you the API, I cant wait.</p>
<!------------------------------------------One day later —------------------------------------------------ -->
<p>
Dear are you ready, we are already late, your dad is waiting for us in the car so
maybe you can explain us this other IPA thing on the way to visit grandma?
</p>
<p>For sure, maybe dad or even grandma have some nice feedback about it.</p>
<p>Dont make fun of us darling, your grandma even learnt how to use Whatssapp now!</p>
<p>
I know! Shes a baddass isnt she? Anyway, so, the API, theres this very good meme
that I think explains it in a rather good way. OK I see you cannot look now so Ill
describe it. Imagine a bar with different staff in it. The cooks working in the
kitchen would be the backend, the ones behind the bar the frontend, andddd the
people that run from the bar to the tables are the API.
</p>
<p>
So an API translates the content of the Internet? What does the acronym stand for?
</p>
<p>
Yes! Brilliant! I mean, kind of! So, API means Application Programming Interface,
but I guess that doesnt really help. It is a protocol through which most of the
Internet we use functions, but it remains invisible,..mysterious, intangible! Im
not sure if we understand but you look quite excited, thats nice, you seem to be
learning a lot. Indeed. So basically we have created a toolkit that is deployed in
the form of an API, the rules of which will be defined by the collection of filters
and functions we are writing. A bit meta, yes. But it will be these rules that will
define the politics and access of it.
</p>
<p>Well that does sound serious, like in a positive way I mean.</p>
<p>
Indeed, Ill take that as a compliment! The idea behind choosing the form of an API
to publish our Special Issue is that it is a way to not just publish contents but
also the tools that we are using to generate them.
</p>
<p>A cute altruist gesture in these times!</p>
<p>
Thank you, that was the point, yes. The idea was to create an interface between the
public and our functions as a way to offer a service, make it accessible and
question the relations of power that this kind of structure creates.
</p>
<p>
So you mean that Google, Markplaats, The New York Times, Buienradar… they all use an
API?
</p>
<p>
Exactly! OMG Im so happy that you guys got it. So basically the API - through
Flask, (but here I wont get into detail, I see that we are about to arrive also)
synchronizes the content between the functions that we have written in our notebooks
in Python with the website.
</p>
<p>
Yes honey maybe you can help us unload the car and we can continue this conversion
with Grandma later…
</p>
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<p>
(Grandma) So what are these filters your mum says you have made in class? She has
explained to me something about a website and some waiters running to the kitchen?
</p>
<p>
LOLOLOL. Lets forget about that, but maybe we can try some functions already ! They
should still be running online, and since its a weekday, the API - and website
should be open for the public.
</p>
<p>
Ah so you have proper opening times! Like in the good old times, when people had
normal schedules and no one worked on Sunday.
</p>
<p>
Of course! This is why its a vernacular API, made by humans for other humans :)
That was the main point for us, designing a platform that was approachable, that
resembles our group and that is accessible for everyone. Even you grandma! Anyway,
answering your question: we have developed 3 main projects into subgroups. One of
them works on vernacular maps, another one on a replace function that changes words
from a text transcript and another one that contaminates texts.
</p>
<p>
And tell me sweetheart, how are the people in your class? Did you make nice friends?
</p>
<p>
Yes Grandma, I was telling mom, that we made a very eclectic group. It is being very
enriching because of the different backgrounds. We are ambitious, politically
engaged, and very committed with the studies. I am proud of them-us, indeed!
</p>
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