During the pandemic we've been inundated with data. Every news broadcast and government briefing features the latest figures on cases and, sadly, deaths. Much has been, and will be, written about the process by which that data has been collected, presented and communicated to the public. It hasn't always gone well at any level. This … Continue reading Weather reports, Coronavirus data and Cherry Blossom forecasts – the numbers we choose to see
A map of Bath, 1852 style
I collect links to openly licensed historical images, particularly maps, of Bath. This is a quick blog post to summarise a fun exercise at creating a map of bath drawing on the style of an historical map. There's a useful Python library called prettymaps that allows you to generate some really nice looking maps using … Continue reading A map of Bath, 1852 style
@MetaverseCares
I'm forever planning and starting new side projects. I try not to beat myself up too much about not finishing or releasing them because they're mostly a bit of fun or intended as a learning exercise. But there's always some cognitive overhead to having code half finished, incomplete drafts and lots of open tabs. So … Continue reading @MetaverseCares
Reflecting on 2021
As I enjoyed writing up my reflections on 2020 and recently reading back over them, I've decided to do it again this year. A long time ago, I used to do these around my birthday, but the end of the year is as good a time as any to do them. I don't keep a … Continue reading Reflecting on 2021
Garden Retro 2021
Last year I did some end of year reflection on my attempts to grow vegetables. Despite having done it for quick a few years now, it was a useful exercise that helped me plan for this year. So I'm doing it again. What did I set out to do this year? Looking back at my … Continue reading Garden Retro 2021
How will AR change urban spaces?
I was out walking over the weekend. As usual, when I deliberately put my phone away, I found myself paying attention to the little details around me. The steam coming from a compost pile. The faint mist coming off the lake in the park. Signs and waymarkings. Painted graffiti and stickers slapped onto lampposts and … Continue reading How will AR change urban spaces?
Thinking through decentralisation as a process, not an architecture
I tweeted this the other day: https://twitter.com/ldodds/status/1458562522919936001 I don't claim this is a new or even particularly profound insight. But I do sometimes feel that discussion around the need for more decentralised products and services focuses more the technical design of a system, rather than how it is governed. An expectation that a decentralised protocol … Continue reading Thinking through decentralisation as a process, not an architecture
What is Swash and is it really changing data ownership?
This is another in a very occasional series of blog posts where I look at different data initiatives, institutions or infrastructure in order to understand a bit more about how they work. And then have opinions about them. Previously I wrote about Common Voice. This time I'm looking at Swash which describes itself as "reimagining … Continue reading What is Swash and is it really changing data ownership?
The Doom Pyramid
There's a lot going at the minute. Both in general and personally. I've been trying to think through the way I feel about it all. To reflect on what helps me deal with the anxiety of These Times. As well as what doesn't. Today it clicked and I tweeted it. This is post just expands … Continue reading The Doom Pyramid
Obsessed by bees
I've become a bit obsessed by bees. In a good way. Earlier in the year whilst I was quietly reading a very large, very black bee fell out of chimney. We were both stunned. After a moment to see if I was about to be engulfed in a swarm of bees (BEES!!!) I escorted the … Continue reading Obsessed by bees
Lost Boy 