Outsider Art

Outsider Art delves into linguistics, literature, and technology through detailed examinations of specific AI projects, writing systems, literary works, architectural and technical phenomena, and historical mysteries. It explores human reasoning, communication methods, thematic analysis of novels, and societal and technological changes impacting privacy and aesthetics.

Artificial Intelligence Linguistics Literature Analysis Architectural Design Technology Impact Historical Mysteries

The hottest Substack posts of Outsider Art

And their main takeaways

Cyc: history's forgotten AI project

220 HN points • 17 Apr 24
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Research History
  1. The Cyc project has been working on building a massive knowledge base since 1984 for human-like reasoning, spanning millions of entries and rules.
  2. Cyc's approach of using common-sense knowledge and a vast database contrasts with the trend of machine-learning-driven AI solutions dominating the field today.
  3. Despite being overshadowed by newer AI technologies, there is potential for Cyc to complement modern systems like large language models, showcasing a possible synergy between different AI approaches.

Writing systems

39 implied HN points • 10 Mar 24
🚌 Education
  1. A taxonomy of writing categorizes writing systems into logographic, syllabic, and alphabetic, depending on the linguistic unit each symbol represents.
  2. The invention of writing arose independently in Mesopotamia, China, and Mesoamerica, with the alphabet being invented only once in the ancient Near East for a Semitic language.
  3. Phonetic writing systems, like the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), represent distinct speech sounds, while real alphabets are phonemic, representing abstract sounds rather than specific pronunciations.

30 Jan 2024 – Windowless skyscrapers and random numbers

19 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Literature History Architecture Books Art
  1. Some skyscrapers lack windows and were constructed in the 1960s-1970s to house telecommunications equipment, like 33 Thomas Street in New York City.
  2. Windowless skyscrapers were designed to aid in temperature control and protect against external threats, including withstanding a nuclear blast.
  3. The Brutalist design of windowless skyscrapers like 33 Thomas Street replaced earlier Art Deco telecommunications hubs, ushering in an age of mass surveillance.

23 Jan 2024 – Missing bombers and spy satellites

19 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
💾 History World War II Archaeology
  1. During WWII, Japan captured American B-17 bombers for examination, but some mysteriously disappeared after the war, sparking lingering curiosity and theories.
  2. Historical mysteries like missing planes and unexplained phenomena continue to capture the imagination and intrigue readers and researchers alike.
  3. Modern surveillance technology, like spy planes and satellites, has advanced significantly, raising privacy concerns and prompting some individuals to prefer living away from prying eyes.

16 Jan 2024 – Libyan Sands, germ warfare on the subway, and Boeing

19 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
💾 History Warfare Experiments Aviation
  1. The book 'Libyan Sands' by Ralph Bagnold paints a poetic picture of the Libyan Desert and mentions the skeletons of camels marking certain routes.
  2. A study conducted by the US Army in 1968 on the vulnerability of subway passengers in New York City to biological agents showed how pathogens could be disseminated widely without detection.
  3. An unsettling quote from 'White Noise' by Don DeLillo offers a glimpse into the fear and chaos within an aircraft's cockpit during a crisis.
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"Child of God" (Cormac McCarthy)

19 implied HN points • 27 Nov 23
📚 Literature American Literature Character Study Morality
  1. Sevier County is described as a forgotten corner of America, peopled by grotesque characters like Lester Ballard.
  2. Lester Ballard, the central figure in the story, is portrayed as cunning and resourceful, living on the fringes of society in seclusion.
  3. The novel suggests that the darker aspects of human nature, as exemplified by Ballard, are inherent and timeless, rather than products of specific circumstances.

"Ethan Frome" (Edith Wharton)

19 implied HN points • 13 Nov 23
📚 Literature Novel Character analysis
  1. The village of Starkfield, isolated and suffocating in winter, plays a significant role in shaping the characters' fates.
  2. Zeena, with her apparent frailty, conceals a cunning mind and holds a significant power over Ethan and their relationships.
  3. Ethan's dreams and desires are ultimately crushed by the tragedies and constraints of fate, leaving him resigned to a life of quiet despair.

"Steppenwolf" (Hermann Hesse)

19 implied HN points • 30 Oct 23
📚 Literature Analysis
  1. Steppenwolf, the main character of the novel, symbolizes the struggle between wildness and refinement, reflecting a constant battle within him.
  2. The encounter with Hermine and the experiences in the magic theater serve as catalysts for Haller's self-realization and new outlook on life.
  3. The novel explores themes of despair, belief, and the pursuit of a higher beauty, ultimately highlighting the transformation and awakening of the protagonist.

"Silas Marner" (George Eliot)

19 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
📚 Literature Classic literature Character analysis Themes Redemption
  1. Silas Marner, the main character, faces hardships and misjudgment due to his outsider status in the village of Raveloe.
  2. Acts of kindness, like Silas helping a sick woman and later adopting a young girl, showcase the theme of unexpected treasures in life.
  3. The novel reflects a world where virtue is ultimately rewarded, but also explores the complexities of redemption and the passage of time.

"The Painted Veil" (W. Somerset Maugham)

19 implied HN points • 02 Oct 23
📚 Literature Love Redemption
  1. The story of 'The Painted Veil' revolves around love, betrayal, and redemption in post-imperial China.
  2. The character transformation and self-discovery of Kitty Fane play a central role in the narrative, as she navigates relationships and societal expectations.
  3. The novel explores themes of forgiveness, sacrifice, and personal growth through the complex interactions of its characters.

Coming soon

0 implied HN points • 03 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration
  1. There is an upcoming post on outsider art at outsiderart.substack.com
  2. The post is by I. A. Fisher
  3. Readers can subscribe to Outsider Art for more content

"Guerrillas" (V. S. Naipaul)

0 implied HN points • 18 Sep 23
📚 Literature Fiction
  1. The novel 'Guerrillas' by V. S. Naipaul explores themes of decay and disillusionment in post-independence Caribbean society.
  2. The characters in 'Guerrillas' grapple with identity, outsider status, and the impact of colonial history.
  3. The story delves into political unrest, the fragility of revolution, and the complex dynamics between foreign visitors and local residents.