Adam Sadowsky: How to engineer a viral music video

The transcript details the creation of a Rube Goldberg machine for OK Go's music video 'This Too Shall Pass'. The project involved designing a complex machine that synchronized with the music, required numerous takes, and faced challenges like environmental factors and mechanical failures. The team learned the importance of planning, flexibility, and starting with small components. The video was introduced at TEDxUSC, followed by a performance of the song.

What was the initial inspiration for creating a machine in the music video?

• A request from a famous director

• OK Go's interest in dancing with machines

• A desire to break a world record

• A competition among engineers

What is a Rube Goldberg machine?

• A machine that is used in factories

• A machine that operates without human intervention

• A complex machine that performs simple tasks

• A simple machine that performs complex tasks

Which of the following was NOT a requirement for the machine?

• The machine must be magical

• The machine must be completed in one shot

• The machine must sync with the song's rhythm

• The machine must integrate with the band

How many distinct interactions did the machine have?

• 100

• 50

• 75

• 89

What unusual item was used as a trigger in the machine?

• A toy car

• A high-heeled shoe

• A rubber duck

• A baseball

What was one of the key lessons learned from the project?

• Large components are always problematic

• Planning is not necessary

• Flexibility is as important as planning

• Small components are always reliable

Why is it important to put reliable components last in the machine?

• To make the machine look impressive

• To save time during construction

• To ensure they are not used

• To avoid resetting the entire machine if they fail

What was the emotional takeaway from completing the project?

• Indifference and boredom

• Frustration and disappointment

• Elation and satisfaction

• Confusion and uncertainty

Who introduced the music video at the end of the presentation?

• The speaker

• A famous actor

• OK Go

• A music producer

What is the title of the song performed in the music video?

• Let It Be

• This Too Shall Pass

• Dance with Me

• Here It Goes Again