It was in the early years of Doug's career, but the latter years of his graduate studies that he received this humble award. Award? Yup. Probably the most from-the-heart one he ever earned.
He was at an ACM conference in Silicon Valley, leading a demonstration of his latest research results. On a computer screen were virtual objects that were deformable, employing algorithms that Doug had written into code. Using a Phantom device attached to the computer, one could interact with a few of these simulated deformable objects. Back then, it was a pretty new and exciting thing to use a force feedback device to feel and interact with an object that didn't really exist - an object that was entirely made of mathematics.
Doug had the haptic device hooked up to a computer on a small table, and a poster on a wall close by. He had carried the pricey device, the full desktop computer and the poster on the plane with him through US/Canada customs. It was a cumbersome and a nerve-wracking trek. But once in place, it was a humble set up. He demoed to anyone who was interested. School children, teachers, industry people, and other researches came to give Doug's work a try.
Doug said an older hippy tech guy came to chat with him toward the end of the event. Apparently, the gentleman asked Doug about his purpose for coming to the conference. Doug explained that he simply came to share his recent work. I'm sure Doug's passion and enthusiasm were strong. The gentleman seemed surprised by Doug's lack of interest in monetizing his research. But, back then, Doug was a young and eager researcher, always keen to share what he was learning and finding, not concerned with getting rich off of his ideas, only that they might become useful to someone, somewhere, someday. He's still that way. I've always loved that about him. I've shared the same philosophy, but, the true generosity Doug knows...Well, I hope I've learned something about that from him over the years. He's simply the most generous person I know.
Anyway, apparently, after listening to Doug talk for a short time, the gentleman pulled something from his front pants pocket. He told Doug he had been carrying it around with him for quite some time, for good luck. He said he had found it on a beach. It had been a constant source of comfort, and a personal treasure to him. It was this piece of jade, made smoother by the his hand's constant contact with it. He handed it over to Doug, and, if I remember correctly from Doug's retelling of the conversation upon returning home, the gentleman said something like "You should have this. You deserve it. It's the Un-Jaded Award."
When Doug came home from the conference, it was one of the first things he showed me. Since that time, I've kept it safe. It's another item I keep in the open, so I can keep track of it. It rests in a wooden bowl with the stones and wood and shells from other experiences. For me it represents a moment when Doug touched someone's heart and that person returned the favour. To me it's a symbol of sharing.
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