Relevant Work:
Technically relevant experience:
I am currently taking the Fab Academy course in Providence, which is a version of the MIT Make Almost Anything Class, also taught by Neil Gershenfeld (Center for Bits and Atoms). This gives me all the necessary technical skills to implement the project.
http://fabacademy.org/archives/2014/students/chelyapov.nickolas/index.html

2 Outdoor LED Signs (16in x 66in, rated to 10year operation)  2 x $920 =  total $1840
2 x Raspberry Pis (2 x $40): $84
2 x Arduino 2 x $30: $60
Power Supplies / USB Wifi Adapters / Cables: $35
1 x GSM to WiFi Router (if no WiFi present): $86 
Waterproof enclosure for components: $45
Artist fee: $2000
Total: $4150

Purpose and Goal:
The goal of this project is to get a small window into what makes us human.  I will design and implement two websites, with one question each:
"Why do we suffer?"
"What makes us happy?"
The answers for each question will then be broadcast to two scrolling LED signs next to each other.  The combination of the two will be an interesting cross section of the human condition.  What if the same answers appear in both places!

Depending on the viewer, some of the answers will be relate-able, some contentious, some funny, some commonplace.  But the space between the two sets of answers will be for the user to experience and could bring about feelings of both disagreement and belonging.  

There will be information next to the work that prompts visitors to submit additional answers, so we may get a good cross section of the people of Boston (trackable via Google Analytics).  

Presented in a manner that is usually reserved for data such as "train arriving in 5 min," it is an interesting twist that puts a human touch on what looks like public infrastructure.

Please describe your work plan and projected timeline *
 
June 1 - 14: Website development

Create two websites for the two questions:
"Why do we suffer?"
"What makes us happy?"

Development includes frontend html/css for the questions and server side database to store answers, syndicate via RSS and Twitter.

June 15 - 28: Electronics + LED Marquee development
Development includes Raspberry Pi RSS parsing, transmitting data via serial to Arduino, which in turn communicates with the LED marquees.  If no WiFi is present, a cell-based GSM to WiFi router will be added.

Installation: end of June

Projected project budget *
2 Outdoor LED Signs (16in x 66in, rated to 10year operation)  2 x $920 =  total $1840
2 x Raspberry Pis (2 x $40): $84
2 x Arduino 2 x $30: $60
Power Supplies / USB Wifi Adapters / Cables: $35
1 x GSM to WiFi Router (if no WiFi present): $86 
Waterproof enclosure for components: $45
Artist fee: $2000
Total: $4150

Maintained?
Project requires little to no maintenance.  I will maintain the software/server side.  The LED signs are durable and rated for long-term commercial applications. The electronics are relatively cheap and can be easily replaced.
Based on location, I will find a local partner to contact me if the work becomes unresponsive.  

Where?
Downtown Crossing is a good example of an ideal location for this project.  Locations best suited for the project are those with a good amount of foot traffic.  It is also important for the work to be seen by a variety of people (not say, just students). There will be a prompt next to the work with directions for further submissions, and a diversity of opinions increases the meaning of the work.
If the MBTA were willing, inside a train station is also ideal, as there are many visitors, some waiting for periods of time.

Describe why it's awesome:
The Space Between the two sets of answers will be meaningful, surprising, funny, sad, sometimes strange, and sometimes familiar - and may bring about feelings of "being different in the same boat."