For something non-explosive, this might be the most American project we’ve featured in a while. [Makerinator]’s domestic bliss was apparently threatened by the question “what shall we have for dinner”– that’s probably pretty universal. Deciding that the solution was automation is probably universal to software devs and associated personalities the world over. That the project, aptly called “The Decisioninator” apes a popular game-show mechanic to randomly select a fast-food restaurant? Only people with 100-octanes of freedom running through their veins can truly appreciate its genius.
In form factor, it’s a tiny slot machine which [Makerinator] fabbed up on his laser cutter. The lovely “paintjob” was actually a print out with dye-sublimation ink that was transferred to plywood before laser cutting. Mounted to this are illuminated arcade buttons and a small ISP display. The interface is simplicity itself: the big button spins a virtual “wheel” on the display (with sound effects inspired by The Price is Right) to tell the family what deliciously unhealthy slop they’ll be consuming, while the other button changes decision modes. Of course you can pick more than just dinner with The Decisioninator. You need only decide what spinners to program. Which, uh, that might be a problem.
Luckily [Makerinator] was able to come up with a few modes without recursively creating a The Decisioninator-inator. He’s got the whole thing running on a Pi4, which, with its 1980s supercomputer performance, is hilariously overpowered for the role it plays (in true American fashion). He’s coded the whole thing in the Flame Engine, which is a game engine built on the Flutter UI toolkit by American technology giant Google.
What’s more American than tech giants and fast food? A propane powered plasma cannon, for one thing; or maybe mental gymnastics to translate into freedom units, for another.
Thanks to [Makerinator] for the tip.
Lol, and here I thought it would suggest real food!
You’ve enjoyed the slot machines in Vegas, now try your hand at the slop machine
That would not be stereotypical American, d’oh.
I wonder how fat this guy and his wife are.
Everyone is fat now. Seeing media from the 80s is alarming. Idk exactly what it is, probably a lot of things.. but we messed something up.
I’m not sure if this is supposed to be some sort of agitprop or performance art piece speaking to the abysmal state of the “food industry” in the U.S. or the general shallowness that has creeped into every aspect of life.
If so, kudos, this is clever – the name not so much — maybe something more like “Ugly Americans: The Slot Game” or “I Cant’t Believe We Eat This”
On the other hand, if this is even remotely a mirrors someone’s life whose marriage is stressed by having to decide between Chipotle, Dominoes, and Kentucky Fried Chicken they probably want to re-examine some of their life choices.
Yeah, yeah, yeah “I like Dominoes” … “fancy food is expensive” … “you’re elitist” … blah blah blah – if those are really choices you’re regularly making then: (1) learn to buy and cook real food — I promise it’s way way way cheaper and way way better for you.
It’s time to go outside dude. Sometimes a cigar is a cigar. It’s a funny little toy, not some deep tool to literally solve his marital problems or an art piece.
Is conflating “food” with “brand names” not immediately worrisome to you? When I go outside (as you suggest) and see 300+lb people waddling around, what am I supposed to feel? Am I supposed to eat the same slop they do, and be happy?
How long before Google kills the Flutter UI Toolkit?
Why would they? Is there something going on?
Here’s a short “why” for you: https://killedbygoogle.com/
You should have used a hyphen in Decision-inator; it’s Phineas and Ferb rules.
OP left the hyphen out on the project page, so we went with that spelling. I wish I’d noticed the reference, though– that’s ‘Murrican pop culture being referenced.
It’s quite a bit more low tech but I’ve had dinner decision dice for ages. They’re pretty awesome if you can’t decide.