In this lesson, we reviewed coordinates, relative measurements, variables, movements, and how to use the mouse. We then covered Boolean values and conditional statements.
The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost: Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both…
This reminds me of th famous trolley problem: to do nothing -- killing five, or click the switch -- killing only one? So I made this sketch to visualize this moral decision.
https://editor.p5js.org/rootallroot/sketches/C7Aph6yCY
<aside> 💡
1. Which choices are easier, harder? Which choices are false choices?
</aside>
Doing nothing is easier because I don’t need to take any action. Clicking the switch is harder because I actively make a choice that affects someone. In this sketch, there is no perfect choice because someone gets hurt either way.
<aside> 💡
2. What internal or external factors influence the choice? How do others’ choices affect your choices?
</aside>
The number of people on each track influences my choice. I might also be influenced by what other people choose, especially if most people make the same choice.
<aside> 💡
3. What choices surprise you with unexpected outcomes?
</aside>
Clicking the switch feels like a simple action, but it changes the trolley’s direction and decides which group it reaches. The small interaction has a much bigger consequence.
<aside> 💡
4. Can you combine choices to create hard-to-predict results? (Hint: Use && and ||)
</aside>
Yes. I use && to check both the mouse X and Y positions, so the switch only works when I click inside the correct area. I could also use || to add another condition that changes the trolley’s behavior.