As we get more transparent with data sets about infrastructure and systems management, I have a feeling we'll see big changes in how we think about complexity and our relationship to our actions. Aaron Koblin More Quotes by Aaron Koblin More Quotes From Aaron Koblin Save interesting thoughts, quotations, films, technologies... the medium doesn't matter, so long as it inspires you. Aaron Koblin technology long interesting Geniuses come in many shapes and colors, and they often run in packs. If you can find one, it may lead you to others. Collaborate with geniuses. Send them your spells. Look carefully at theirs. What could you do together? Combination is creation. Aaron Koblin color together running An interface can be a powerful narrative device. And as we collect more and more personally and socially relevant data, we have an opportunity, and maybe even an obligation, to maintain [our] humanity and tell some amazing stories. Aaron Koblin motivation powerful inspiration I've always been a bit of a mix between art and technology. I used to paint a lot, but I'm not very good with my hands. It has always been a fusion between my computer gaming interests and being exposed to the rich data of society that we live in. Aaron Koblin technology hands art They say an elephant never forgets. Well, you are not an elephant. Take notes, constantly. Save interesting thoughts, quotations, films, technologies…the medium doesn't matter, so long as it inspires you. When you're stumped, go to your notes like a wizard to his spellbook. Mash those thoughts together. Extend them in every direction until they meet. Aaron Koblin get-well elephants technology What's clear - and exciting - is that communication for social change is growing. Aaron Koblin growing communication social I was really intrigued by the idea of using live streams of data that's relevant to real people, and that would allow us to reflect and learn about ourselves. Aaron Koblin data real ideas Data can actually make us more human. Aaron Koblin data humans Beware of addictive medicines. Everything in moderation. This applies particularly to the Internet and your sofa. The physical world is ultimately the source of all inspiration. Which is to say, if all else fails: take a bike ride. Aaron Koblin medicine inspiration world My mom's a psychologist, and I think that has influenced me on a personal level. Plus, I'm just generally interested in visualization and humanity, social activity and technology, and what happens in aggregate. Aaron Koblin technology mom thinking As a kid, I was always into art at the same time as computers, and eventually I realised I was making more interesting stuff with my keyboard than with my hands. I really enjoyed modifying computer games more than playing them, so that got me into programming. Aaron Koblin kids hands art I studied at UC Santa Cruz before going on to do a grad program at UCLA. Santa Cruz was like an awesome hippie summer camp. I got to take a vacation from reality and hang out on beaches and in forests. Aaron Koblin hippie summer beach When I look at a pie chart, I just go numb. Aaron Koblin numb pie looks The possibilities for creation and insight are endless. We're constantly collecting more data, and it's starting to be very relevant to our lives. Aaron Koblin possibilities more creation data I think that music and visual arts can complement themselves nicely. They do different things - the music forces you into a different mood and perspective whilst the visual stuff can engage you in a more direct cognitive manner. Aaron Koblin you mood perspective music I think you can have a ridiculously enormous and complex data set, but if you have the right tools and methodology then it's not a problem. Aaron Koblin think you data problem The trouble with progress is that it tends to happen slowly and quietly. It's not necessarily going to shout about itself, or make the nightly news like a disaster or a scandal would. Aaron Koblin disaster progress news trouble I've always been excited by rotoscoping, the technique used in films like 'Waking Life,' which fuses animation with real-life emotion. It seemed like it was a process ripe for innovation. Aaron Koblin innovation emotion process life There's something that happens with the collection of a large amount of data when it's dumped into an Excel spreadsheet or put into a pie chart. You run the risk of completely missing what it's about. Aaron Koblin something you data missing I've always loved music and held it as a sacred thing that I can't touch, as I don't really want to deconstruct it or be a musician. Aaron Koblin loved always music want
