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.
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.