We're Makin' It

In the past two weeks, I've seen our decomposition project grow from hand-wavey ideas and concepts to something concrete, with detailed parts specifications and a plan of action to bring it all together. It is very exciting, being a part of this process of creation and seeing how your personal contribution plays just as important a role as everyone else's.

I think it's hilarious how, despite our thoroughness in designing the system, we entirely overlooked the method by which the e. coli would receive their sustenance! As it currently stands, our chassis wouldn't have lasted much time at all, when you consider the amount of energy required to pump salt out and build decomposition enzymes, all while being starved in the middle of the salty ocean.

Wednesday's inventor/investor activity was highly illuminating in terms of just how much capitalism gets in the way of advancing the current states of science and medicine. I voluntarily hindered another team's progress just so I can sign an exclusive deal and rake in the dough, and while the stakes were significantly lower in our little social experiment, I can't help but to think how much these things happen in real life, on a large scale.