Posted by andries on Sep 10, 2009 in
Uncategorized I have long been fascinated by complexity and system thinking; the cognitively stimulating challenges of nonlinear problems and solutions.
Over the past 2 years my interest has taken a new form by looking at simple ways of representing complexity through the visualization of whole-systems, mapping and visualizing the interconnectedness of concepts and data. To give you an idea of powerful visualizations, take a look at http://www.idiagram.com/CP/cpprocess.html
Today, I was browsing through a fascinating example of this, on Visual Complexity.
A group of researches at the EU conducted a study to visualize the most remotest place on Earth by combining a series of maps of the world and cross-checking them with their ease of access through conventional transportation. The maps were created to show how the distribution of people affects their access to resources such as education and medical care, and how we are increasingly pushing wildlife out of even the wildest corners of our planet.
For the full article, check out http://www.visualcomplexity.com/vc/project_details.cfm?id=672&index=672&domain=
They came up with this beautiful map of the interconnected world and of the remotest place on Earth, the Tibetan plateau..
Posted by andries on Jun 12, 2009 in
Uncategorized Bangkok.
I’ve been here less than 24h but I love it – the atmosphere, the mix of modern and traditional at every corner of the street, the cosmopolitan, the relative safety and yet a feeling of adventure and uncertainty about what next you’ll discover.
By coincidence, my arrival time in the airport was scheduled at around the same time as Suchith – an old AIESEC friend of mine who lived here for 2 years – had to take his return flight back home to Sri Lanka. I met up with him and his farewell delegation and they made me feel directly welcome in familiar AIESEC-style! We hardly had the time to catch up or we had to see him off and wish him well.
His friends took me in their car and gave me an awesome tour of the city till past midnights. Thanks Weaw and Yuki, much appreciated!
I’m only here for 5 days, and the MC of AIESEC Thailand has been so kind to host me, not in the least because of Rina’s lovely introduction.
Today I had a walk through most of the old town, Ko Ratanakosin, and its beautiful temples! I realize this is my first intense contact with Thai Buddhist culture and it’s leaving strong impressions behind. I took a break in one of the temples to meditate and rest, observing the various rituals around me – throwing the stones in the singing balls; lighting of the candle and incense and praying with a white (lotus?) flower in their hand; the gentle dipping of small pieces of white paper against the buddha statues covered with gold leaf.. I am yet to understand the meaning of all this, however I enjoyed the mindfulness it gave me to just be there and observe.
Weaw told me the three most common things you can see in Thailand are, temples, dogs and 7-11 outlets.. I have to admit for now her theory still stands.
Update. ps: if anyone needs a cheap international driving license or a good advanced PADI license, let me know.. I just had a really funny experience strolling through the many small bazaar-like stalls in the backpackers quarters, and stumbled upon a guy who made fake certificates of all sorts. While he was pitching me all sorts of lovely Secret Service cards (and even Singapore work permits), a cop parked right next to us to observe the traffic; but the conversation just went on as if we were just dealing with a fruit transaction.