For me it’s cities. I’m absolutely fascinated by how cities work. Every street, building, alleyway, park, shop, bar etc. tells a story of how life happened there. Every single thing in the city contributes to its functioning.
I can spend hours just scrolling on Google Maps, zooming in on cities like New York, London, Tokyo, Beijing, the city I live in, you name it. Dropping myself in the street view function and just strolling around everything. I also oftentimes have Google Maps open on my second screen at work, because I find it calming in a way.
I think this all started with Star Wars and Coruscant. As a kid I was hooked the moment I saw a CITY the size of a freaking PLANET! I find there’s something comforting in knowing that everywhere around you, something is happening and you are all part of this megastructure, making it function. I don’t know how I never ended up as a city planner or something.
I was called “Lenin’s fanboy” too. And honestly, i couldn’t even deny XD
lol same
Honestly I still think it’s weird thinking about other people not being like “NPCs” but as other sentient minds formulating their own thoughts… And that many of those people have some of the dumbest, most illogical thoughts that I simply cannot fathom how they come to them. Like brains are so weird and complex and the tiniest little change or imbalance can have such massive impacts on how you think and function.
I too find city planning / infrastructure very interesting. I walk around and think about how much better everything would be if I’d planned the city, lmao. I also love going on trains; everyone around me is like “ugh daily commute” meanwhile I’m acting like Katherine from youtube channel Katherine’s Jounrey to the East.
Same. But then also I find chaotic cities to be the most interesting. Atlanta, for example, is a hot mess of a city. But that’s what makes it interesting. It’s so huge and spread out with all these hills, short streets going nowhere, small houses etc. Something about the chaotic structure of it all is interesting.
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Yeah, it’s crazy how much Humans have messed up the natural flow of water.
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Also, insects
Cryptozoology. I like monsters and I think they could be real.
The history of the Roman Empire. It’s a terrible hobby to have: anyone else interested in this is either an academic, with a level of knowledge leagues above my own, or a fascist.
Maybe, plants, yesterday I went down a whole internet rabbithole on the Chia plant and micro greens. Btw, I too like cities and stuff, but mostly biophilic design, public transportation, etc.
Same on the public transport. Can’t tell you how happy I was when I went to live in my city which has a metro system. I use it a lot.
Also, plants indeed. Especially when people just stop mowing their garden and just let it grow. It’s fascinating to see what happens when you just let nature do its thing.
I wish my city had a metro system, but the buses aren’t too bad.
Machines and Automation. For most of my childhood I was around and inside of factories since my father was a factory worker. I first hand got to see conveyor belts and huge hydraulic robot arms doing precise work & also how they were controlled/programmed. The thought of building machines that do work for us instead of a human still very much excites me.
Also architecture. Especially buildings that are hundreds of years old such as castles, churches, temples, etc.
I totally agree with you on cities, everything about them is fascinating. Their demographic makeup, architecture, layout, trying to learn how things got to be the way they are there. One of my top activities when I’m trying to relax is to get stoned and piss around on google maps/wikipedia, reading about and looking at cities and countries. I especially love looking at skylines and how they’ve changed or are projected to change.
Good to know there are others of us. I believe some Google Maps areas got an update lately and they are now more detailed. I was excited to see that lol.
Not necessarily a weird fascination, but True Crime fascinates me. As does cosmology and the future of the universe.
When I walk, ride or drive around I like to get “lost” sometimes so I can see new places and learn new routes.
I also have this half-obsessive thing that I enjoy of looking at car registration plates and figuring out funny single words from their letters.
Have you tried Google Earth VR?
Trains and other rail-based transport and their inner workings. It’s interesting how different types of trains work, whether they be diesel, hydrogen, or electric. Also, visualizing math, even though I hate doing math.
That would definitely be dark/macabre stuff, it started since I was 9.
