Adam Dipert: Space juggling, physics, and changing your perspective

What insights can be gained from exploring human movement, physics, and juggling in weightlessness?

Adam Dipert is a Postdoctoral Research Scholar in Physics at North Carolina State University and has wowed audiences as a professional circus performer for nearly twenty years. He started studying human movement in weightlessness in preparation for his first parabolic flight in 2016, and since then he has logged countless hours exploring the frontiers of microgravity flow in pools, aerial harnesses, flotation tanks, wind tunnels, and airplanes. In addition to developing a new suite of dance moves for outer space, he has exercised remarkable restraint not asking NASA for permission to spin fire on the ISS.

"And you’ve become only eyes, because you now no longer have a way of sensing where your body is. And not only do you only become eyes, but you’re also experiencing tunnel vision. And so when you enter weightlessness, and start to develop the skills which will be necessary to become a competent movement artist in that environment, you have to first figure out how to re inhabit your body and how to come back from just being eyes and realize that you have a head and find out where your arms are, and have some idea about where your arm is, say when it’s behind your back because, you know, right now on Earth, probably everybody listening to this is on earth, waving your arm. Yeah, you put your arm behind your back and and what is it that tells you where your arm is? It’s the tension in your shoulder, right? It’s the torque in your arm, elbow. It’s a lot of things that are all gravitationally oriented. And so you have to come with a totally new set of skills." ~ Adam Dipert (16:55)

This episode is far out, and far ranging. Adam and I managed to coordinate a recording session with little advanced notice… and then we proceeded to go wide and deep on circus stuff, juggling, physics, mathematics, and movement in weightlessness.

Since I clearly cannot cram the visuals into the audio, you simply must float over to Adam’s web site: TheSpaceJuggler.com

The conversation explores the unique challenges and opportunities of human movement and artistic expression in microgravity. One key topic is the disconnection from conventional proprioception in zero gravity, requiring innovative methods to reorient oneself and move effectively. The discussion also covers the physics of rotations and how understanding moments of inertia can inform both practical and artistic endeavors, like juggling in altered environments.

Another important focus is how altered environments like space could fundamentally change our understanding of what it means to be human. Insights about the adaptability of the human body, new forms of artistic expression, and philosophical reflections on perspective and truth highlight the broader implications of this work. The conversation also touches on the importance of preparing humanity for future space exploration, emphasizing the potential for cultural and intellectual growth through such endeavors.

Takeaways

Human proprioception in weightlessness — The experience of zero gravity requires a complete relearning of body orientation and movement.

Rotational dynamics in microgravity — Understanding how the human body rotates in space helps develop both practical movement skills and new artistic expressions.

Integration of physics and art — Combining physics with creative disciplines like juggling leads to innovative insights and applications.

Space as a proving ground — Microgravity environments challenge and expand human understanding of movement and adaptation.

Embodied cognition and ethics — Exploration of movement in space raises questions about how gravitational experiences shape human cognition and morality.

Philosophical dualities — Weightlessness provides a powerful metaphor for understanding multiple truths from different perspectives.

Preparation for space exploration — Analog environments are essential for developing skills and knowledge before venturing into true microgravity.

Resources

The Space Juggler — Adam’s official website showcasing his projects, videos, and information about space juggling.

Adam Dipert on LinkedIn

MIT Media Lab — A location where Adam has shared insights into his work on microgravity and movement.

Kitsou Dubois — French choreographer and dancer specializing in zero gravity dance.

International Jugglers’ Association — Organization where Adam has showcased his pioneering work in space juggling.

SpaceX — One of the private companies advancing human space exploration discussed in the conversation.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

--- Hello👋 I'm Craig Constantine.

In the Movers Mindset podcast, I talk with movement enthusiasts to learn who they are, what they do, and why they do it. I'm interested in the nature and philosophy of movement and in exploring themes like independence, self-direction, and human excellence. My interests color each conversation and provide some structure to Movers Mindset. But since I like to take the scenic route, every conversation ends up going somewhere unique.

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