Finds

№ 8 | Data Visualization Using… Light?!, From Notes to Comic Book Spread, The 2023 Better Conversations Calendar, “Disagree but Commit,” and a Meta-Learning Model

Stephen P. Anderson

Oct 7, 2022 — 2 min read

Data visualization using… light?!

This week, the Data Visualization Society released their long list of entries for the Information is Beautiful Awards. Among the many entries, was that rather unique—and brilliant—gem: A visualization of "books bought and read over the last five years." Here's a teaser image:

** SIDENOTE: As someone who accumulates lots (and lots!) of books, many that I've not read… yet, I take offense at the “Am I a reader or just another hoarder?” comment. It's a false dichotomy, right? RIGHT?!

From notes to comic book spread

I love a peek into other people's creative process. Here's a glimpse at how Nick Sousanis brings his *amazing* graphic illustrations to life.

In case of interest: A narrated look at my lengthy creative process from sketched notes & research to thumbnail breakdowns to final drawings in making two comic book spreads. I documented it a year ago, but finally got around to putting it in slides. #nostos #unflattening 2 pic.twitter.com/5YzDRe59jf
— Nick Sousanis @nsousanis on all the socials fwiw (@Nsousanis) October 7, 2022

The 2023 Better Conversations Calendar

Here's a thing to think with… the The 2023 Better Conversations Calendar from Kat Vellos! From the images, this looks like an interesting bank of questions to go along with each month.

“Disagree but commit”

Things that make you think… Here's something from Eileen Wang that gave me pause:

I always had a problem with the phrase “disagree but commit”.

Because I don’t think you can actually achieve that without established trust in the team. It will always be hard for stakeholders to move forward if you don’t intentionally create a space of psychological safety.

My go to tool in situations like these is Fist to Five. But, after reading through the responses, I started reconsidering the more complex social dynamics that might sit behinds someone's 1 finger (no, not that finger!) response…

Learning models, FTW!

I love a good concept model. Here's a big picture visual from Efrat Furst that tries to “depict the interplay between the basic learning process, the related research fields, and some goals.” (More context in the twitter thread)

№ 83 | Stop Project 2025 Comics, Future for All: A vision for 2048, eyeConnect Cards, The Rule Book, and the Effects of Geography on Voting

This edition of the newsletter comes a couple days later than usual, but for a wonderful reason—I spent 5 days last week playing board games with my friends at BGG Con. 🎲 🤩 Next issue will resume the normal Sunday schedule! 🥸Reminder: If you're participating in the Create A

№ 82 | Pebble Talk, The Mood Meter, 3 Styles of Play, A Convection Simulation, an Electoral College Simulation, and What If America Had 6 Political Parties?

📍In case you missed it… Throughout November, I’m hosting another Creative Challenge: Create A Real Life Character Sheet. About 15 people have signed up so far, and there’s space for a few more folks—you should join us! Pebble Talk Here’s a way to avoid awkward small

Creative Challenge #3: Create A Real Life Character Sheet

Welcome, new readers. From time to time, I organize “Creative Challenges,” that fit with the whole “playful things to think with” theme. Previously, there was a One Card Serious Game Challenge, followed by the Make a Zine Challenge. I hadn’t planned on doing another Creative Challenge until next year

№ 81 | Scientific Papers as Comic Strips, 52 Things About Cards, Thermodynamics Cards, Collaborative Place Futures Toolkit, and Why The Work is Never Just “The Work”

✉️Look for 2 extra special emails heading your way, later this week! 1/ The promised print-and-play Zombie Leadership cards. 2/ An announcement about our next Creative Challenge… Scientific Papers as Comic Strips Yes! Comics as things to think with. Here’s an interview with Kanaka Rajan, who uses “narrative illustrations