Explore the journey of creating a 'Hug Detecting' badge in this engaging conference talk from linux.conf.au 2021. Discover how a late-night idea at LCA2017 led to an innovative project combining an ESP8266, electronics, and C++ programming. Learn about the challenges of integrating custom hardware into conference badges, load testing considerations, and unexpected issues like Twitter shadow bans. Gain insights into how this whimsical project evolved into a unique tool for managing social anxiety. Delve into the world of hardware hacking and its potential for both personal growth and practical applications in this 21-minute presentation by Leon Wright.