Bronwyn’s Interests

I love making beautiful things, but I love even more to make things that work. I want to put that talent to work for everyone’s good. It’s obvious that our planet and our bodies cannot cope with the conditions we are putting them in: look at the rise of food allergies and asthma, of toxins in animals; look at the mud outside your door when there should still be snow. Everyone says they’d like to save the world — I’m learning sustainable design so that I can help do it. I also want to work with heritage buildings. I love architectural history, and want to keep it present, lived in, and loved. I also want to learn from them how better to use sun, wind, and water.

An unstoppable reader, I go through at least a few dozen books a year, much more if you count my nonfiction reading on the internet. Some of the authors that I love most are Robert A. Heinlein, Barry Hughart, Spider Robinson, Robin McKinley, Isaac Asimov, Melissa Scott, Neil Gaiman, and Garth Nix. My interests range all over the place, as I realized when writing up this list for you:

  • History, especially archaeology, ancient history, cultural changes, and migrations of peoples.
  • Science, technology and how they affect society. I’m better with applied science (such as technology) than pure; I can get a better grip on what it might do.
  • Design of many kinds, including architecture, interior design, industrial design, web design, and interaction design.
  • How we think and believe, leading me to psychology, cognitive science, and religion.
  • Realms of imagination, as found in fairy tales, fantasy and science fiction, mythology, role-playing games, animé, and manga.
  • Anything to do with making books, such as writing, typography, and graphic design.
  • Art and music.
  • Diverse arts and crafts, such as calligraphy, glassblowing, jewelry-making, origami, pottery, and woodwork.