Wild Information

Wild Information, crafted by Claire L. Evans, delves into the intricate connections between technology, biology, and human perception. Through exploring diverse topics such as indigenous timekeeping, the concept of 'umwelt', xenobots, the natural world's intimacy, and artificial intelligence, it seeks to illuminate the complex relationship between living systems and technological advancements.

Indigenous Knowledge Perception and Umwelt Technology and Nature Biology and Robotics Ecology and Environment Artificial Intelligence Literature and Fiction Dreams and Consciousness Architecture and Space Online Communities and the Internet Science and Ethics History of Technology

The hottest Substack posts of Wild Information

And their main takeaways

The Time of Big Walking

216 implied HN points • 31 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Nature Literature Music Art
  1. Different indigenous peoples have unique ways of measuring time that are closely tied to nature and subsistence.
  2. The Sámi people have a calendar with eight seasons and twelve months that reflect changes in the environment.
  3. A year for Arctic peoples is not just a fixed number of days but a flow of natural events like bird migrations and frozen lakes.

Fear of Trees

117 implied HN points • 12 Nov 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Nature Literature Science Horror Time
  1. Some people have a fear of trees, which can be related to plant intelligence and time perception.
  2. Trees hold ancient time, and exploring forests can evoke eerie and beautiful feelings.
  3. Plants are believed to have intelligence, and this idea has been explored in horror, folklore, and science fiction.

To Boldly Go Down The Hall

98 implied HN points • 26 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual art Installation Painting Design
  1. Corridors in architecture are often an afterthought, especially in structures with many rooms.
  2. Corridors play a significant role in popular science fiction, such as in Star Trek, representing travel and exploration.
  3. Robert Irwin's innovative art and approach to light mirror the creativity and attention to detail seen in the set design of Star Trek.
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All Things Great and Small

117 implied HN points • 01 Oct 23
📚 Literature Sci-fi Short Stories Essays Nonfiction
  1. The universe is vast and mysterious, with connections between the infinitesimal and the infinite.
  2. Miniatures hold a special fascination as they allow us to explore the vastness in a small scale.
  3. Exploring literature and stories can open our minds to the depth of time and the vastness of the world.

Intimate Geographies

157 implied HN points • 19 Sep 22
  1. Appreciating places involves perceiving both the very big and the very small simultaneously.
  2. Understanding the natural world requires navigating different scales and creating models.
  3. Models, whether edible or computational, simplify complexity but can also miss certain nuances.

Out-of-body, out-of-office

196 implied HN points • 28 Dec 21
  1. Our sense of body ownership can be altered through perceptual illusions.
  2. Research on prosthetics highlights the complexity of integrating additional limbs.
  3. Exploring the intersection of technology and biology can bring new perspectives on life.

Old Technology and New Biology

216 implied HN points • 11 Mar 21
  1. The concept of 'umwelt' explores different spheres of perception in biological systems.
  2. Technology has been used to disconnect humans from the natural world.
  3. Understanding and acknowledging the inner lives of animals is essential for a compassionate worldview.

“But then people argue, what's life?” 

196 implied HN points • 03 Apr 21
  1. Xenobots are living, programmable micro-robots made from frog cells.
  2. Xenobots can self-cohere into living spheres and exhibit emergent behaviors.
  3. The convergence of biology, robotics, and AI leads to unique advancements like Xenobots.

Getting a feeling for the organism

58 implied HN points • 08 Nov 21
  1. Deboleena Roy challenges traditional hierarchies in science and emphasizes the interconnectedness of all living things.
  2. Roy discusses the importance of forging intimate connections with non-human organisms in scientific research, advocating for a more holistic approach.
  3. She urges scientists to confront ethical questions and consider the impact of their research on the environment and non-human beings.

We all have forests in our minds

58 implied HN points • 26 Sep 21
  1. Taking care of our online presence is a lot like tending to a garden.
  2. The interconnectedness and care in natural ecosystems can inspire new approaches to decentralized networks.
  3. Metaphors from nature can guide us in transitioning towards a more sustainable and mindful internet use.

Towards Growing Peaches Online

2 HN points • 08 Oct 22
  1. Peach orchards in Paris used a simple yet elegant technique to grow fruit in a balmy microclimate without greenhouses.
  2. Architect Christopher Alexander's work on patterns influenced both architects and programmers to create harmonious, reproducible designs.
  3. There is a call to build software with 'living structure' that heals the planet and enriches human life, akin to architecting a world worth living in.

News & new writing from Claire L. Evans.

0 implied HN points • 15 Jan 21
  1. Claire L. Evans shares news and new writing on her Substack.
  2. She researches the convergence of technology and biology.
  3. The newsletter will focus on thoughts and discoveries about this intersection.