Kotobago Newsletter

The Kotobago Newsletter explores the intersections of environmental psychology, international tourism, and spatial analysis. It delves into how digital tools, social mediation, and urban design influence human experiences, perceptions, and behaviors. The newsletter also covers innovative technology in dynamic environments and approaches towards creating and understanding markets and neighborhoods.

Environmental Psychology International Tourism Spatial Analysis Urban Design and Architecture Digital Tools and Personalization Social Mediation and Interpretation Market Creation and Product Recognition Technology and Future Interfaces Travel and Exploration Psychogeography Public Transportation Networks Programming and Brain-Computer Interaction Economic Psychology Visual Communication Urban Planning and Neighborhood Analysis Combinatorial Exploration Human-Device Interactions

The hottest Substack posts of Kotobago Newsletter

And their main takeaways

combinatorial exploration, part 1

1 HN point • 26 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Creativity Innovation Ideas Genres Imagination
  1. The main theme of the series is combinatorial exploration, shaping environments for productivity and novel ideas.
  2. Information must have context to be interpretable, with deeper dives requiring more context to understand relationships between systems of meaning.
  3. Creating something new involves mining existing ideas, with successful projects often reproducing established norms while defining new genres can lead to monopoly.

Cities of the World

4 implied HN points • 27 Dec 20
  1. Visiting every city on Earth is impossible, but virtually visiting is more manageable
  2. By virtually visiting 3 cities per hour for 2 hours a day, every city could be visited in about 3 years
  3. Cities are categorized into different playlists based on quality for viewing online

sorting

8 implied HN points • 12 Jun 19
  1. The world may seem small, but it is actually quite big
  2. When we travel, we tend to meet people similar to ourselves
  3. Digital tools like cookies personalize our online experience based on our personality

Forgotten Ideas: Twitter, Jun-Jul 2007

4 implied HN points • 23 Sep 20
  1. Idea of Social Cameras in 2007, where cameras could broadcast images to other cameras nearby.
  2. Concept of FixMyStreet as a platform to report city issues like potholes and abandoned cars.
  3. Discussion on the early design of the web for documents and the challenges in adapting it for web applications

exploring UNLI Neighbourhoods

4 implied HN points • 02 Jan 20
  1. Using UNLI Neighbourhoods can provide a high-level overview of different neighborhoods in a city.
  2. The categorization of cities is outsourced using the Natural Earth dataset to balance accuracy and exploration.
  3. Include neighborhoods near a city to encourage exploration and discover new areas to visit.
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creating a market

4 implied HN points • 01 Jan 20
  1. Creating a market requires making your product recognizable and desirable.
  2. It can take time to shift public perception and create momentum for new products.
  3. Balancing novelty with usability is key - too much novelty can confuse customers.

UNLI Neighbourhoods

4 implied HN points • 17 Dec 19
  1. Spatial knowledge is localized, so many people might not know much about places near them.
  2. The goal is to help people explore regions far from their own, both physically and mentally.
  3. UNLI aims to increase the number of first-time travelers to regions around the world.

Object Detection in Dynamicland

4 implied HN points • 19 Jul 19
  1. Objects in the future could contain smart chips with multiple sensors
  2. Smart objects would communicate with each other to validate information
  3. Nano-computers may be the future, without screens or traditional interfaces

Social Mediation

4 implied HN points • 28 Apr 19
  1. Humans are physical systems that interact with their environment to gain knowledge.
  2. Objects, graphs, and frames are interconnected and play a role in social mediation.
  3. Our interpretations of the world are unique and influenced by our environment and personal choices.

Sounds of the City

4 implied HN points • 26 Apr 19
  1. Sound is just as important as the visual aspects of the environment.
  2. Cultural differences shape how sound is perceived and experienced in public spaces.
  3. Cities are constructed environments that influence both the inhabitants and the visitors in various ways.

Transportation Systems

4 implied HN points • 24 Apr 19
  1. Transportation systems can change the way we experience and interpret our environment.
  2. Passing through portals or doors can 'reset' our cognitive pressure while navigating through different areas.
  3. Cities are heavily influenced and mediated by transportation systems, shaping our experiences and perceptions of the urban space.

cats with wings

4 implied HN points • 23 Apr 19
  1. Reading about city design and architecture can inspire new ideas and projects.
  2. Cities have diverse qualities that can impact emotional security and satisfaction.
  3. Measuring and improving legibility in environments through user experiences and perceptions.

Forgotten Ideas: Twitter, May 2007

2 implied HN points • 19 Sep 20
  1. OMGPop started as a dating website before creating Draw Something.
  2. Facebook's impressive growth in just three years is notable.
  3. Some startup ideas may take a long time to gain traction, like CLEAR rebranding from FlyClear.

communication mediated by images

2 implied HN points • 17 May 20
  1. Experimenting with ffmpeg to assemble audio files led to considering creating a similar system for images.
  2. The idea is to generate visual stories by translating written stories into logical sequences of images.
  3. The ultimate goal is to create a function that can output a list of images based on a given phrase, like 'a duck ate some bread'.

truth exists between stories

2 implied HN points • 16 May 20
  1. Primary sources can lack complete accuracy as writers only have partial information.
  2. Truth exists between stories - connecting multiple narratives can reveal a more complete picture.
  3. History is written from the perspective of the prevailing power, but alternative narratives can still emerge over time.

what would they dream of

2 implied HN points • 14 May 20
  1. Anticipate future problems to fix present problems more completely.
  2. Improving infrastructure can greatly enhance lives but requires political commitment.
  3. Considering the dreams of future generations can guide our actions today.

watchtowers

2 implied HN points • 04 May 20
  1. Watchtowers are important for alerting people to grab their tools when needed
  2. Watchtowers help remind people about the tools they have and their importance
  3. Learning new tools requires breaking from automatic responses and actively reminding oneself to use them

the psychology of currency conversion

2 implied HN points • 19 Dec 19
  1. Currency value is always relative to some commodity, leading to our perception of money.
  2. Different types of currency, like decimal and non-decimal, impact how we perceive pricing and values.
  3. When dealing with currency conversion, we often rely on comparisons to our home currency, but it can be beneficial to consider values in terms of things we understand.

the psychogeography of bus transportation networks

2 implied HN points • 14 Dec 19
  1. Public transportation networks impact how we perceive and experience geography.
  2. Use of public transportation can lead to unexpected journeys and experiences.
  3. Taking the bus can offer a less stressful, affordable way to explore a city.

how to hire an eigenvector flockmaster

2 implied HN points • 13 Dec 19
  1. There is a mass shortage of capable people to handle important jobs in certain competitive fields.
  2. Finding a true eigenvector flockmaster can vary in definition and appearance.
  3. The key to filling crucial roles lies within ourselves, and people are encouraged to apply for these positions.

the future of programming

2 implied HN points • 05 Oct 19
  1. Software writing will change in the next 20-40 years with brain-computer interaction.
  2. Future programming may involve Neuralink reading brain signals to create software.
  3. Neuralink could adjust program behavior based on brain feedback to improve functionality.

encoded systems, emergence, and cascading effects

2 implied HN points • 13 Aug 19
  1. Biology is unique to Earth, dependent on chemistry which is dependent on physics.
  2. Artificial life, like AGI, still relies on precise chemical processes for creation.
  3. Time travel is theoretical and would require the manipulation of matter and energy.

Big Creativity and Innovation

2 implied HN points • 09 Aug 19
  1. Innovation should aim to increase readability, accessibility, or decrease stress/waste with equal or lower cost
  2. Imagination plays a key role in driving creativity and innovation
  3. Collaboration between dreamers and scientists is essential for progress

developing a sense

2 implied HN points • 09 Jul 19
  1. Urban planning needs more scientific data for effective city design.
  2. Context and environment play a crucial role in the perception of architecture and place.
  3. Neighborhood analysis tools can help enhance urban planning by understanding and experiencing cities better.

psycho-geographic travel

2 implied HN points • 16 Jun 19
  1. Short-term travel limits understanding of a place due to time constraints.
  2. Psychogeography explores how the environment influences human behavior and culture.
  3. Spending more time in a place leads to a deeper understanding and richer experience.

tetrapods

2 implied HN points • 27 May 19
  1. Tetrapods serve a functional purpose by slowing down the deterioration of sea walls.
  2. Though intimidating in appearance, tetrapods are commonly found in various coastal locations.
  3. Learning about tetrapods may lead to interesting articles about their impact and usage.

Personality of Place

2 implied HN points • 05 May 19
  1. Cities are composed of various units that impact human psyche differently based on environmental conditions.
  2. Different villages take on the personality of those who frequent them, creating more comfortable and enjoyable spaces.
  3. Transportation systems play a crucial role in how individuals experience and interact with their environments.

editing asynchronous content into a seamless experience

0 implied HN points • 08 Sep 19
  1. Communication challenges will increase as humans travel further from Earth due to time-space constraints.
  2. Establishing a protocol for simultaneous interaction across vast distances may become possible in the future.
  3. High bandwidth but high latency communication systems may enable real-time interactions by sending all possible interactions from each person.

Kuching Hostels (automated response emails)

0 implied HN points • 18 Jun 19
  1. Different hostels have different types of automated response emails with varying helpfulness.
  2. Information about public transportation, Grab app, and local attractions can be included in these emails to assist guests.
  3. Providing concise and relevant information in the automated response emails is crucial for an effective communication.

Politics of Place

0 implied HN points • 19 May 19
  1. Urban planning and transportation systems impact economy and culture differently in cities.
  2. Cities designed around cars can make living without them harder, leading to high costs and convenience issues.
  3. Architecture, environment, and cultural norms all play a role in shaping the politics and dynamics of a place.

Subways, Streets, Sang-soo

0 implied HN points • 18 Apr 19
  1. Subway exits form a network connecting different worlds
  2. Streets provide choices and flow, turning into a diverse space
  3. Sang-soo's films are created from innocence, allowing for discovery of multiple meanings

thoughts on situation-construction

0 implied HN points • 27 Sep 19
  1. Situation construction aims to intentionally build something rather than haphazardly live life.
  2. Détournement involves ignoring capitalist propaganda and emphasizes interpretation over media.
  3. Creating inclusive environments through conscious design benefits all individuals, including those with disabilities.

Parallel One-way Roads and Ecosystem Functioning

0 implied HN points • 03 Aug 19
  1. Ecosystem functioning is impacted by local feedback systems
  2. Urbanization poses significant global impacts and challenges
  3. One-way roads and simple road designs can improve traffic flow and safety

Forgotten Ideas: Twitter, Oct 2007

0 implied HN points • 07 Oct 20
  1. Facebook failed as a platform due to being a closed platform that monetizes user data.
  2. Sometimes good ideas stem from metaphors and jokes.
  3. Interesting ideas may get lost over time if not shared and discussed.

Mapping neighborhoods

0 implied HN points • 17 May 19
  1. Neighborhoods can be identified by streets with the same name in a similar location.
  2. Using tools like R and QGIS can help process address data for mapping neighborhoods.
  3. Generating voronoi diagrams from address points can outline neighborhood boundaries.

comparing neighborhoods

0 implied HN points • 24 Jun 19
  1. It's important to focus on analyzing and comparing neighborhoods to understand their unique characteristics.
  2. Historical areas in cities may vary in authenticity and significance, with some areas preserving history better than others.
  3. Architecture and urban planning should consider the psychological impacts of the built environment, beyond just aesthetics and functionality.

movement, ambient technology, and cyborg anthropology

0 implied HN points • 22 Sep 19
  1. Technology is evolving to require less information processing from humans.
  2. Future devices may not need screens and will offer personalized user interfaces.
  3. The future will see more dynamic environments shaped by human-device interactions.

knowledge and the enlargement of free will

0 implied HN points • 09 Sep 19
  1. Culture summarizes history and fills the gaps where individual knowledge lacks.
  2. Acquiring knowledge diversifies responses, but there are limits to human capacity.
  3. Exploration and experiences shape perception and potentially increase freedom of choice.

how to setup elm development

0 implied HN points • 19 Dec 19
  1. Start projects with a simple structure in a new folder.
  2. Use `elm init` instead of Create Elm App.
  3. Utilize `elm-live` for development and a makefile for production builds.

Ubik

0 implied HN points • 28 May 20
  1. Virtual reality and bio-robotics may reach a level where they are indistinguishable from reality.
  2. Nanotechnology and intelligent material can create objects that can change shape and properties on command.
  3. Specialized nano-factories with trillions of parallel assembly lines can produce complex end products efficiently.