GENIUS FORUMS

The site design for The Thinking Man's Minefield and David's site is rather outdated. I wonder how many people are turned off by it before they even check out the content.

Have there been any thoughts of updating the look?

Should it matter to people just looking for intelligent data? We "dressed up" the Reasoning Show page a bit because we wanted to give it a slightly more "commercial" and professional feel for certain practical purposes, but I'm not sure that's warranted or advisable for the others.

Ideally, looks shouldn't matter to people looking for information. But the reality of the situation is, in my experience, that there is way too much info on the web and the surfer must filter out alot of sites based on first impression in order to find what he needs. If I had never seen this site before, and came to it via search engine, I probably would have filtered it out based on the outdated '90s styling.

My point is that the site has top-notch content, but a weak design. I don't think it needs to be flashy or eye-catching, just simple and modern.

I must confess that I haven't redesigned The Thinking Man's Minefield since it was first created - near the time of the very birth of the Internet. I've been thinking of redesigning it using style sheets, so I'll probably get around to doing that soon.

To my mind, the very title "Thinking Man's Minefield" packs all the imagery I needed. When I first came across Kevin's webpage, it reminded me of a chance find of an ancient trove of wealth. It sounds corny, but I think revamping it would be a mistake. Those who are seeking truth aren't seeking frills. The Minefield is orderly, and the decor conveys that beauty is not its aim.

Toban's point is important. Most people don't have the aesthetic born of indolence - the appreciation for thinking, and for profound personal idiosyncrasies - owing to being rushed into little mass-produced nooks.

So the "splash" page - the gateway into Reality - has to link up to where they're at.

What do GF members think of this aesthetic: The Reasoner's Library....? (Under construction)

I think it is simple, clean, logical, yet opens up to Nature in all its wildness --- if you can see it.


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I don't think it would be fair to judge it yet - as it says, it's still under construction. The template is fine, but it still needs more of an explanation on what it's about, amongst other things.

So, any thoughts about its aesthetics ?

From an aesthetic standpoint it's quite nice. The color scheme is appropriate, minimalist for easy access to the site's content. The main page layout reminds me of a university library database - clean, clear, direct. A few adjustments to consider: "Thinking without academic waffle" could be bumped up a notch or two. Even though its centered in proportion to the Google bar, it still feels forced - try centering it below "The Reasoner's Library" as another option (keeping the same position, but raising it a bit). If that doesn't work, try opening up the space below the text by decreasing the size of the colored bar from top to bottom.

Steven Coyle wrote: The main page layout reminds me of a university library database - clean, clear, direct.

I'll stick in an introduction/aims of the website, add some provocative keywords to "Thinking without academic waffle", and perhaps a changing quotation along the baseline. An image might also help to distinguish it from a university library database.

Nietzsche would probably hate the aesthetic.

A few adjustments to consider: "Thinking without academic waffle" could be bumped up a notch or two. Even though its centered in proportion to the Google bar, it still feels forced - try centering it below "The Reasoner's Library" as another option (keeping the same position, but raising it a bit). If that doesn't work, try opening up the space below the text by decreasing the size of the colored bar from top to bottom.

Is it visually unbalanced, or just psychologically jarring?

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S: The main page layout reminds me of a university library database - clean, clear, direct.

K: I'll stick in an introduction/aims of the website, add some provocative keywords to "Thinking without academic waffle", and perhaps a changing quotation along the baseline. An image might also help to distinguish it from a university library database.

Nietzsche would probably hate the aesthetic.

Not the style you were going for :-)

Well, I'm actually studying graphic design, so if you need any graphics (icons/logos/super-imposed philosopher busts), send a PM.

Be glad to help.

S: A few adjustments to consider: "Thinking without academic waffle" could be bumped up a notch or two. Even though its centered in proportion to the Google bar, it still feels forced - try centering it below "The Reasoner's Library" as another option (keeping the same position, but raising it a bit). If that doesn't work, try opening up the space below the text by decreasing the size of the colored bar from top to bottom.

K: Is it visually unbalanced, or just psychologically jarring?

Visually unbalanced.

Steven Coyle wrote: Well, I'm actually studying graphic design, so if you need any graphics (icons/logos/super-imposed philosopher busts), send a PM.

Are you studying it "formally" (ie. paying tutors?) If so, why? I did, for 4-5 years, full-time. Now I can't afford the software!

I can't stand the graphics industry. It sucks in bright, passionate, spirited young men, and spits them out as brain-dead married gamers.

Visually unbalanced.

Ok, I'll shift it a few pixels vertically......eventually. What's wrong with the horizontal indent?



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Kelly, it appears that the left side of the page has too much stuff while the right is a bit unbalanced. Or maybe it's just that the google bar was in an odd spot neither center nor right?

Kelly,

At first I was doubful about this task you've set yourself. I'm sure I've seen other sites that list philosophers in a similar fashion.

"Thinking without academic waffle"

IMO, much of what ALL philosophers have written in the past is little different from academic or marketing waffle. If I was doing this, as some sort of life project, I would limit them all to key points of their philosophy - ie whatever it is that differentiates them from their predecessors. A mammoth task.

S: Well, I'm actually studying graphic design, so if you need any graphics (icons/logos/super-imposed philosopher busts), send a PM.

K: Are you studying it "formally" (ie. paying tutors?) If so, why? I did, for 4-5 years, full-time. Now I can't afford the software!

I can't stand the graphics industry. It sucks in bright, passionate, spirited young men, and spits them out as brain-dead married gamers.

Well, I've been studying art at University off and on for, awhile now (...about 5 or 6 years). Yeah, the software can be pretty steep. My father has a connection through his advertising company; so I lucked out there. A blessing, and sort of a curse. Problem is, I'm still fairly uncertain of what I wanna be when I grow up. So, the pressure is there to follow in his footsteps, and then to die a slow death. But there's still hope. I recently applied for SSI (a form of social security) which would allow for a philosopher's life. Thing is, I'm more attuned to art than philosophy, and though the two overlap, and I've already acheived quite a bit philosophically, I'm still uncertain of exactly what path to take. Maybe freelance design for the near future.

S: Visually unbalanced.

K: Ok, I'll shift it a few pixels vertically......eventually. What's wrong with the horizontal indent?

...Horizontal indent good.

Jamesh wrote: I'm sure I've seen other sites that list philosophers in a similar fashion.

There are countless libraries, but no rational ones. David's and Kevin's are the choicest affairs.

But there is so much muddled motleyed hear-sayed garbage out there, that providing the actual original nugget of garbage that spawned it all, helps a reasoner to cut to the very heart in a few moments.

Of course, that nugget has to be contextualised, which is why there is a critical response column.

IMO, much of what ALL philosophers have written in the past is little different from academic or marketing waffle.

Yes.

If I was doing this, as some sort of life project, I would limit them all to key points of their philosophy - ie whatever it is that differentiates them from their predecessors. A mammoth task.

It's not a life project, just a useful resource.

Yes, my aim is to publish the nugget of the idea, just one extract, or a couple, from each author or agent of an idea. I don't have time to waste on exploring their lives. And just the writers who expressed ideas most succinctly -- those with more genius.

Another aim is to help one see the ego in humanity, as one psychological body, reacting to certain events. The articles on Western philosophy from the 1600s up to Nazi Germany, are fascinating. Where all this post-modern garbage came from. Why capitalism is popular. What people will be interested in hundreds of years from now. That's the point of the time line. To predict in advance, and deal with, the major problems.

And yet another aim is to make Sex and Character easier to read on the web. There are two modern English translations, yet the original English was probably the best. I am taking the best out of all three, while trying to get the original nugget in view, and publishing the result.


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Hi Steven,

Well, I've been studying art at University off and on for, awhile now (...about 5 or 6 years) ....... Thing is, I'm more attuned to art than philosophy.

Why's that?

Can you upload a few images of your work to the forum?

Yeah, the software can be pretty steep. My father has a connection through his advertising company; so I lucked out there. A blessing, and sort of a curse. Problem is, I'm still fairly uncertain of what I wanna be when I grow up. So, the pressure is there to follow in his footsteps, and then to die a slow death. But there's still hope.

Do you live with your father?

I recently applied for SSI (a form of social security) which would allow for a philosopher's life.

Is it a long-term pension, or a job-seeking allowance, or something in-between?

Thing is, I'm more attuned to art than philosophy, and though the two overlap, and I've already acheived quite a bit philosophically, I'm still uncertain of exactly what path to take. Maybe freelance design for the near future.

What do you see yourself doing in five years?


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S: Well, I've been studying art at University off and on for, awhile now (...about 5 or 6 years) ....... Thing is, I'm more attuned to art than philosophy.

K: Why's that?

Can you upload a few images of your work to the forum?

That's not entirely true.

...I've been hanging around my family for too long -- exhausted my reasoning.

Since I've uncovered the Infinite, I spend my time less interested in much else.

I guess that's the ultimate philosophy, really.

[uploading artwork]

Yeah, I'll see what I can find. Most of my work is on another computer.

S: I recently applied for SSI (a form of social security) which would allow for a philosopher's life.

K: Is it a long-term pension, or a job-seeking allowance, or something in-between?

Long-term pension.

S: Thing is, I'm more attuned to art than philosophy, and though the two overlap, and I've already acheived quite a bit philosophically, I'm still uncertain of exactly what path to take. Maybe freelance design for the near future.

K: What do you see yourself doing in five years?

Finished with University, Deepening my understanding of Nature, Independent of parents...

Even being in contact with one's family can "exhaust one's reasoning" like nothing else on earth.

Family members are expert emotional manipulators, because of the greater exposure to each other. And there's very little urge to reason, to cut loose of the security of a family bond, to become individuals. So, being greatly aware of each other's weaknesses and strengths, each member subtly coerces other members to give into the group mentality, and to cut off any "eccentric" flowering while still in the bud. This is one reason why unusual achievers come in family groups. One can't go there without the "permission" of the others, and they'll let you know it.

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Steven,

If you like art, why not go ahead with the graphics design and use your father's connections? One does not have to be one's income job; your real you can be a philosopher while your income job just serves as a creative outlet. Also, you are a very abstract thinker - perhaps you could figure a way of smuggling philosophical concepts into the graphic design. Philosophy not only does not have to be an isolated event, it should not be. Everyone should think as deeply as they can and promote wisdom around them. If one can promote wisdom in a regular job environment, that is good - but you have the prime opportunity to subliminally reach the masses by promoting a wise and ethical slant through the graphic design you produce - and few industries need an infusion of ethics more than advertising. I believe you have a wonderful opportunity to infuse some wisdom into the mainstream world.

Elizabeth,

I was having trouble visualizing myself as a wise individual, emersed in a corporate environment: The strain of dealing with hoards of people du plastique still seems to outweigh the advantages being presented my way - but this is my own neurotic anxiety attempting to forecast the future, not a very wise arrangement. This could be an excellent springboard for advertising spiritual vision. And who knows? - the work environment might not even be that nightmare cubicle I have engrained in my mind. Could be kinda cool.

I think you'll do fine. You're a quiet guy, and quiet guys tend to have the easiest time in the corporate world.

Steven Coyle wrote: This could be an excellent springboard for advertising spiritual vision. And who knows? - the work environment might not even be that nightmare cubicle I have engrained in my mind. Could be kinda cool.

You'd have to find a sponsor or employer willing to pay you enough to afford professional software and a totally idle lifestyle.

You'd need total freedom to express wise truths. As much time as you needed - unlimited - to deepen your relationship with God. You would have to convince your sponsor/employer/father that there is even a market for non-attachment, which not only negates desire - so any purely economic custom is exponentially decreasing in a greed-oriented society - but which is also non-existent at present, as just about no one is interested in non-attachment at all.

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