Category Archives: Tech

Fun With Maps

Posted on August 15, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

I have spent way too much time playing with HoodMaps, which somehow I missed for the last two years. Be that as it may, it’s a cheeky project that annotates city maps with comments from users who have previously visited … Continue reading →

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Expo 58

Posted on August 4, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

I don’t know the difference between an Expo and a World’s Fair and at this point I’m afraid to ask. However, I’ve been to Expo 67 in Montreal and the 1964 New York World’s Fair and thoroughly enjoyed them both. I have long been … Continue reading →

Posted in apps, Architecture, Art, Europe, History, Tech, Tourism | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Pushing back against AI

Posted on July 23, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

The Authors Guild has submitted an open letter to the CEOs of prominent AI companies, including OpenAI, Alphabet, Meta, Stability AI, IBM, and Microsoft, calling their attention “to the inherent injustice in exploiting our works as part of your AI systems without … Continue reading →

Posted in apps, Books, ebooks, Tech, USA, Writing | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Almost worth the trip to Vegas

Posted on July 13, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

I have only been to Las Vegas once for a conference. Although I don’t gamble or drink, I actually had a great time. It’s worth a visit just to see the glitzy hotel and casino design and decor. Now it … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Film, Music, Tech, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Reading Immersion

Posted on July 10, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

The new Sol Reader is a clever device that looks like a VR headset, but instead of immersion in virtual reality it offers the user the opportunity to get lost in a good book. The digital device streams e-books from … Continue reading →

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Down a research rabbit hole

Posted on June 29, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

The free new research tool from Yale University called Lux is a fascinating opportunity to be led down a rabbit hole of infinite connections for any subject of interest.  The digital tool works by building relationships between objects users look … Continue reading →

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Books on Maps

Posted on June 28, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

If you stop by TBTP regularly, you probably know how I feel about maps and literary websites that manage to combine books AND maps. Books On Maps: is a new project that is mashing up cartography and novels. You don’t … Continue reading →

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Guided by AI (and cats)

Posted on June 15, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

I recently stumbled upon meoweler an AI-generated travel guide for cats -made by Vilem Ries. It’s not actually a travel site for cats, but it is heavily cat-oriented and cat themed. I’m still not sure what Zurich-based Google designer Ries … Continue reading →

Posted in apps, Europe, Tech, Tourism | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Thank You For Not Answering

Posted on June 7, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Recently, I have found myself wavering between complete awe at the potential for open source AI programs and abject terror at the real possibility that AI can end life on Earth. Today, I find myself marveling at the fascinating art … Continue reading →

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Whole lotta shaking going on

Posted on June 2, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

I don’t have a lot of personal experience with earthquakes. My area of North America is in a low to moderate risk zone. Although we did have a 2.30 quake in my town about 14 years ago. At the time, … Continue reading →

Posted in Maps, Tech, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments