This table is a perfect example of how to use examples of nature to make something which is both simple and complex at the same time, and inherently beautiful. While it may seem complex at first, it uses a fractal-based design to implement its complexity. Fractals are basically simple pattern which are repeated on increasingly smaller scales. Most natural and biological structures are based on fractal designs. They are also used to build the landscapes in video games without a lot of overhead.
I continue to see more examples of the “cognitive surplus” combined with DIY culture. While more people are spending less and less time with passive pursuits, such as watching television, many of those same people are putting that time and energy into creative pursuits. Some of these pursuits, such as making videos to post on YouTube are purely for entertainment purposes, but, increasingly, cheap technology is allowing for “hobbies” which would traditionally fall under the rubric of science or manufacturing..
There has recently been a confluence of extremely interesting news floating about in the past week, leading to some really mind-blowing conclusions:
• Scientist and inventor Ray Kurzweil has been everywhere in the past few weeks, speaking about how the exponential compounding of information will lead to an explosion of new technologies, covering all spectrums from medicine to computing, and it’s going to happen much sooner than most people think. What he is saying is very profound when you combine it with the next two bits…
Steve Puma is a sustainability and strategy consultant, technologist and writer. He lives with his wife Cori and pug dog Miles in Northern California. More...
