The author presents the Historical Tech Tree, a comprehensive timeline visualizing the history of major technologies, spanning from 3.3 million years ago to the present. The tree includes over 1,780 technologies and 2,000 connecti...
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Étienne Fortier-Dubois explores cultural and technological macromutations, works in AI evaluation, and enjoys creating pixel art.
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The blog post explores the historical significance and technological evolution of the color blue, tracing its origins from ancient dyes like indigo and Egyptian blue to modern synthetic pigments such as Prussian blue and YInMn Blu...
The post discusses Karl Popper's restatement of Darwin's theory of evolution, emphasizing its role as a problem-solving mechanism rather than a mere tautology. It outlines Popper's 12 theses on evolution, highlighting the trial-an...
A rare optical phenomenon where the sun appears pale and moon-like is explored, highlighting its lack of recognition and the challenge of naming it.
The post critiques Linch Zhang's tier list ranking various 'ways of knowing,' particularly focusing on cultural evolution, which is ranked low. The author argues that cultural evolution, while often misunderstood, plays a signific...
The article critiques the recent trend of AI tools branding themselves as 'deep' in their research capabilities, contrasting this with the actual depth of their functionality. It argues that while AI has advanced in gathering info...
The author reflects on the cultural and linguistic dynamics of living in Quebec, a French-speaking province in Canada, which exists outside the American Empire both geographically and culturally. The essay discusses the tension be...
5.6Atlas of Links #3
2025-11-23 • blogging reflection technology cultural criticism europe
The blog post discusses various topics, including a historical proposal to divide Europe to prevent wars, reflections on the author's blogging habits, thoughts on technology and civilization, and insights into cultural and artisti...
The blog post is a review of Dorian Bandy's book 'Mozart the Performer: Variations on the Showman’s Art.' The author reflects on their initial reluctance to read the book, which is aimed at Mozart specialists, but ultimately finds...
The author reflects on the complexities of municipal elections in Montreal, emphasizing the lack of strong ideological alignment among local parties. They discuss the main candidates and their platforms, drawing parallels between ...
The post discusses the current state of the progress studies movement, highlighting its monocultural focus primarily in the Anglosphere, particularly the United States. The author analyzes the geographical distribution of fellows ...
The post discusses the implications of Donald Trump's actions and rhetoric regarding the term 'America' and its geographical and cultural significance. It contrasts the American perception of 'America' as synonymous with the Unite...
The author discusses the success and ongoing development of a historical tech tree project, which has gained significant attention and traffic since its launch. They mention recent updates, including new technologies added and pla...
The author shares their journey of leading a small music nonprofit board, highlighting the challenges, rewards, and the significance of volunteer contributions in such organizations.
The author reflects on their experience reading Ayn Rand's 'Atlas Shrugged,' a novel often criticized yet influential, particularly in American culture and among certain intellectual circles like Silicon Valley. They discuss the b...
Guilty displeasures are things we feel we should enjoy but don't, highlighting the conflict between personal preferences and societal expectations.
The blog post explores the origins and flavor profile of blue raspberry, an artificial flavor that has no natural counterpart. It discusses its invention in the 1950s, its rise to popularity through products like ICEE and Otter Po...
4.9Hopeful Monsters
2024-10-31 • hope branding cultural criticism ghosts and monsters
The author reflects on the potential rebranding of their blog from 'Atlas of Wonders and Monsters' to 'Hopeful Monsters,' inspired by the concept of 'hopeful monsters' from biologist Richard Goldschmidt. They discuss the significa...
The blog post by Étienne Fortier-Dubois presents a collection of links and thoughts on various topics, including a historical analysis of beauty by William Hogarth, reflections on blogging contests, discussions on architecture and...
In 2025, the author reflects on a year of reduced blog output but significant personal growth, marked by emotional experiences and a new perspective on life.
The post discusses various luxury foods and their historical significance, particularly focusing on pineapples as a status symbol. It highlights the ongoing market for high-end fruits in Japan, the historical luxury status of cele...
A humorous ranking of G7 cities based on personal travel experiences, ultimately favoring Tokyo for its convenience and charm despite initial impressions.
The author reflects on the concept of a sabbatical year, tracing its origins from the Jewish practice of shmita to its modern application in academia. They discuss the benefits of taking a break from regular work to foster creativ...
The author reflects on their recent break from writing, expressing feelings of both relief and guilt. They discuss the challenges of returning to writing after a period of inactivity, likening the experience to a physical injury t...