Subject Matter 17: Premonition
New Essay (Collab)
These days, we are taking no time off from the business of surviving. But we are not only nesting, caring, late-wintering, burrowing, reserving, watching, and preparing. Survival also means adapting, moving, testing. The theory of facilitated variation states that evolution is driven by exploratory processes in new environmental conditions. With this surreal condition being thrust on us all at once, by all accounts, facilitated variation is what is now beginning. No matter who and where, those of us with the internet are all about to become early adopters of a new culture, with new behaviors, new infrastructure, and new politics.
In a new post, a few collaborators and I put down our speculations on the adaptations and cultural movements now under way. Entitled "Premonition," this is a collaboration with friends old and new.
https://subpixel.space/entries/premonition/
(Web Smith responds:)
If this post summons your thoughts, I encourage you to respond here with your own premonitions. We'd be interested to document thoughts we receive in response, perhaps on Twitter, anonymously if you wish.
Likewise, if you're a part of bringing about the future we describe, maybe we can collaborate. A social network—a communication tool—a marketplace—a decentralized currency that lives and dies with memes—a political platform—an indescribable new media thing. We are taking concrete steps toward technological, social, and cultural resiliency, and we are interested in helping others do the same. If your values are clear, any of these media can be part of the strategy.
A new culture is about to be born, grafted onto the old one like a transplanted limb, that we are feeling our way how to use and live with. I hope you will find this a helpful user's manual. Please take care of one another during this time.
Strength in numbers,
Toby
..
A bento box of calming content
Album: Rei Harakami, Colors of the Dark
Talk: Robert Bellah, Religion in Human Evolution
Sport: Xu Xin vs Liam Pitchford
Are.na: Laurel Schwulst et.al, Sunbathers, Sunwatchers, Sunfollowers
Song (for processing grief): Jay Electronica, A.P.I.T.D.A
..
Until next time.
..
P.S. Sunbathe at least 10 minutes a day. they say sunlight is a natural disinfectant
These days, we are taking no time off from the business of surviving. But we are not only nesting, caring, late-wintering, burrowing, reserving, watching, and preparing. Survival also means adapting, moving, testing. The theory of facilitated variation states that evolution is driven by exploratory processes in new environmental conditions. With this surreal condition being thrust on us all at once, by all accounts, facilitated variation is what is now beginning. No matter who and where, those of us with the internet are all about to become early adopters of a new culture, with new behaviors, new infrastructure, and new politics.
In a new post, a few collaborators and I put down our speculations on the adaptations and cultural movements now under way. Entitled "Premonition," this is a collaboration with friends old and new.
- Spatial researcher and data scientist Drew Austin joins to write about the post-pandemic urban landscape.
- New media producer Kara Kittel joins to write about emerging uses of tools and technology.
- Infrastructural designer Edouard Urcades joins to write on death and how we find ourselves in its presence.
- And I have contributed thoughts on how the formation of subcultures, brands, lifestyles, and signaling will change as we temporarily move all modes of communication online.
https://subpixel.space/entries/premonition/
(Web Smith responds:)
If this post summons your thoughts, I encourage you to respond here with your own premonitions. We'd be interested to document thoughts we receive in response, perhaps on Twitter, anonymously if you wish.
Likewise, if you're a part of bringing about the future we describe, maybe we can collaborate. A social network—a communication tool—a marketplace—a decentralized currency that lives and dies with memes—a political platform—an indescribable new media thing. We are taking concrete steps toward technological, social, and cultural resiliency, and we are interested in helping others do the same. If your values are clear, any of these media can be part of the strategy.
A new culture is about to be born, grafted onto the old one like a transplanted limb, that we are feeling our way how to use and live with. I hope you will find this a helpful user's manual. Please take care of one another during this time.
Strength in numbers,
Toby
..
A bento box of calming content
Album: Rei Harakami, Colors of the Dark
Talk: Robert Bellah, Religion in Human Evolution
Sport: Xu Xin vs Liam Pitchford
Are.na: Laurel Schwulst et.al, Sunbathers, Sunwatchers, Sunfollowers
Song (for processing grief): Jay Electronica, A.P.I.T.D.A
..
Until next time.
..
P.S. Sunbathe at least 10 minutes a day. they say sunlight is a natural disinfectant
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