certified hug specialist needs tools

July 18, 2009 11:12 AM

I'm building a bit of performance art that involves testing people for their hug level. I need some kind of funky device that I can use to 'test' people for this.

Okay, so this is a game to play with people. I need some kind of toy or device that looks a bit absurd that I can wave around people and test their hug level. Hopefully it makes a noise and blinks or something. It needs to have a level I can set to 'low' so the testee evidently needs a hug.
The more ridiculous, the better. I'm thinking there is some kind of device that measures skin resistance or proximity that I can repurpose to look like a 'hug' meter, relabel the dials and so forth.
Toys that can re-purposed, or inexpensive electronic kits would be good for this.
Those metal detector wands at airport security are something like what I need but are probably beyond my budget.

posted by diode to sports, hobbies, & recreation (9 comments total)

Gaydar?
posted by rokusan at 11:15 AM on July 18

Handheld Metal Detector Under $25 shipped. Looks like it comes with a nifty belt holster. I'd imagine the electronics on one that cheap are pretty hackable.
posted by piedmont at 11:18 AM on July 18

Like a giant, torso-sized sphygmomanometer?
posted by FuManchu at 11:31 AM on July 18

Since you're not actually testing for anything, you might just use any pressure-operated noisemaking device (airhorn, megaphone w/siren, Tickle Me voicebox) disguised as a detector (lots of tinfoil? or a big cone of some kind?) and sweep it over people, buzzing as you see fit (when hugs are necessary). Maybe also attach the "detector" to an old phone handset that you can put to your ear to "monitor the signal"? Alternatively, you could attach the device (with fake cables/wires or something) to a hat or helmet, and make the subject wear this. Ask them questions, and then buzz the noisemaker when their responses indicate they need a hug?
posted by unknowncommand at 3:29 PM on July 18

don't use a skin resistance meter, people might think you're a scientologist
posted by Jon_Evil at 3:31 PM on July 18 [1 favorite]

Assuming you're going to be using this on the unsuspecting general public, please don't use anything that requires that you touch the person. Some of us don't like that.
posted by Solomon at 3:49 PM on July 18 [1 favorite]

Get a metal detector. If you get one with adjustable sensitivity, you can crank it all the way up and basically anything will set it off.
posted by JauntyFedora at 5:10 PM on July 18

No, this is in a performance space where people will be okay with the out of the ordinary. The handheld metal detector looks like a possibility, plus it works without touching anyone.
posted by diode at 7:31 PM on July 18

I apologise for my assumption.

I seem to recall seeing a fake Geiger counter once. The further you pushed the slider/button with your thumb, the faster the click rate. I guess though that that might really freak people out f they're familiar with Geiger counters.
posted by Solomon at 5:10 AM on July 22