Alive Internet Theory

Linda Liukas: the Ruoholahti Playground

Photograph by Ana Šantl

Dear reader,

How are you? Last week, I switched on comments, and I’m happy I did. People added relevant context and nuances to my rant about the cozy web and the dark forest theory of the internet. For example, Dave linked to a note by Venkatesh Rao, the person who coined the term, where he writes: »cozy web… I kinda wish it would go away.«

I’ll keep comments turned on. But you are welcome to continue sending emails instead of commenting if that is what you prefer. You can always reach me at kristoffer@naiveweekly.com. I love hearing from you, even if it is only a short hi or links to perfect posts like the one below, sent to me from Matt:

i have a new theory called alive internet theory where i propose that the internet is full of real people and you can befriend some of them even and maybe actually kiss them and more — maia arson crimew

With care,
Kristoffer

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟

Linda Liukas: the Ruoholahti Playground

Linda Liukas is a children's book author, illustrator and playground designer living in Paris.

What is the Ruoholahti playground?

The Ruoholahti playground is a computer disguised as a public park. It teaches the big concepts of computer science through imaginative physical play structures (like an input/output machine you can crawl inside of) and with a curriculum for educators.

Why did you make it?

I wanted to give children full-body experience of how computers work, and to make abstract computing ideas tangible, accessible, and delightful for children. It’s how I wish I had learned about computers - barefoot, curious, and with others.

Who or what inspired you?

It was a joyful mix of thinkers from computer science, soft urbanism and play: Seymour Papert taught me that children think with their fingers. John Maeda and Taeyoon Choi showed how even a computer can be made of cardboard or dumplings. I borrowed color and creature from Florentijn Hofman, scaffolding from Montessori, and space from Reggio Emilia. And Alexandra Lange reminded me cities can play too. (I also created an Are.na channel to store ideas for future playground projects!)

Learn more about the playground

https://www.lindaliukas.com/playground.html

𖡼𖤣𖥧𖡼𓋼𖤣𖥧𓋼𓍊

Field notes

1.
»In a quote attributed to Spotify founder Daniel Ek when speaking at a company all-hands, he says “Our only competitor is silence.”17 To which I say, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.«

— Reuben Son in Quiet Time

2.
Crawlspace Issue 5. The best yet, again.

3.
Sublime opened their doors to the public. Congrats to the team! It is a wonderful place to get lost.

4.
Calls for Participation: The Creativity Pioneers Fund is open for applications (Due 7/4), FM[Ai]R is looking for residents (Due 10/4), Reinvent Social Platforms Residency (Due 14/4), Game Poems is open for submissions (Due 15/4), ELO Awards are open for nominations (21/4), Lullaby Machine is open for submissions (Due 1/5), and Processing Foundation is looking for fellows (Due 2/5).

5.
Poetic Web Calendar: Calm Computing (Rotterdam, 14/4), Hello World: Rhizome World Opening Reception (NYC, 18/4), Declarations (Rotterdam, 18/4), Computer Poetry (NYC 19/4), High on Websites (NYC, 20/4), Inside Voices (Glasgow, 24/4), Extratonal: Multispecies Festival (Rotterdam, 25-27/4), Folk Computer Open House (NYC, 25/4), A Maze (Berlin, 14/5), and Demo Day (NYC, 4/6).

𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧

Wayside flowers

• Slingshot

• Maya’s Blogroll

• A Long Smile

• Multi-Player

• Plant Futures

• A Community Spreadsheet

• Viet Ingredients

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