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Part 1: Alchemical Transmutation
A bicycle is a magical object: half human, half machine.
A bicycle transmutes human energy into a superhuman effect. The overarching feature of a bicycle is its mechanical simplicity.
The first mainstream use of a bicycle was around the turn of the 20th century, when millions of people learned to use energy transmutation to achieve superhuman speed on paved surfaces.
In recent decades, archaeologists have uncovered a variety of other energy transmuters for powers such as flight, musical composition, and time-travel.
One particular bicycle, unearthed from the archaeological dig of a 21st century coastal town, was said to give superhuman powers to the whole town. When pedalled for an hour a day, those within the town would gain:
- the ability to view the earth from above
- the power to see prophetic visions of future events
- the remembrance of past lives and traditions
A team of top researchers from leading monasteries around the world are attempting to recreate a working version of this bicycle. They mimic the ancient superhuman effects with wires, batteries, and software. Here's how a recent prototype replica works:
- The pedals of a stationary bicycle charge a battery, which powers a small computer with an antenna connecting it to the internet
- The computer serves a web application to the internet
- Those who live near the stationary bicycle use the web application on their phones
What does the application do? It shows a pixel-art flipbook map. Each page in the flipbook is a zoomable map of the town at some point in time.
Half map, half calendar.
- flip into the past to see the history of that place
- flip into the future to see plans & prophecies
- rsvp to an event in the park next week
- organize a book club at your house
Imagine a 500-year-old flipbook map of your town: filled with the parades and festivals of your lineage. Drawn, maintained, and powered by the people of that place. A digital memory for a physical location. Passed down through participation.
Our current prototypes, while promising in some regards, lack in their mechanical simplicity. Research is ongoing.
The stationary bicycle is placed outside in a beautiful park. Anybody who lives near it may participate in the story. Participation happens in person.
A novice participant begins by browsing the flipbook map and attending the events prophesied by its images. Soon the novice is making and fulfilling prophecies of their own events. Hangouts and dinner parties. Cleanups and markets.
Intermediate participants are known to build lasting traditions and infrastructure. The most advanced participants have even unbuilt traditions and infrastructure, revealing the gardens beneath.
The flipbook map is a medium for joint attention across multiple generations. It helps us see a possible future where we commit to the story of our real lives, right here. The story connects us to the dead that once lived here, and the yet-to-be born that will live here later.
Digitally, we represent our commitments. With our lives, we fulfill them.
Part 2: The Network Neighborhood
Software is getting cheaper and easier to build.
Software doesn't have to make money. Software doesn't have to scale to thousands of people.
Software can be made by the people who use it. Software can be made for a single location. Spread through word-of-mouth, onboarded face-to-face.
Building the story we live within. Building the land we live upon.
Software that brings us into the world, not out of it. Software that gives us power over history, not impotence within it. Software for real people, not abstract “users”. Software for the cultivation of place. Software for the modern tribe.
A bicycle for our mind.
