THE PLAYGROUND
Useful things. A little play.
Tools, games and small worlds to experiment with. Pick a room.
Think twice
Set the rules, test a hunch or train a learner. Start playing; explore the ideas afterwards.
The Rulemaker
Set how three couriers are paid, run the same afternoon under different rewards, and compare who gets served and who waits.
One More Clue
Spend limited points on tests and reports. Cross off explanations and choose an answer when you think the evidence is enough.
The Watchmakers
Choose how many watch parts to secure at a time. Compare progress saved from interruptions with time spent securing it. The phone will ring.
Matchbox Apprentice
Reward a courier’s routes with coloured beads. Open its memory, then move the destination and see whether its old habits still help.
The Last Seat
Guess how busy a tiny music venue will be, then go or stay home. Share your forecast and see how the other regulars change their plans.
The Quiet Machine
Nudge four connected needles and try to keep them steady. Change their responses and compare a self-tuning machine with one that keeps its settings.
The Appeal
Set the entry rules for a four-seat workshop and read the appeals. Revise a rule or make an exception, then see who gets a seat and what qualifying costs them.
The Night Post
Send a postcard in four envelopes. Add numbers, receipts and retries, then see what gets home and how much extra post it takes.
Curiosities
Real events that sound improbable. Follow the evidence, then explore what makes them work.
How can that be real?
Discover the true story, examine the evidence, and put the underlying science or engineering to the test.
Explore Curiosities →Everyday tools
Split Shared Expenses
Track who paid, divide expenses fairly, and copy a clear settle-up summary to share in WhatsApp.
Compare Text & Lists
Find changed lines, compare what’s in two lists, or clean up spaces and duplicates. All on your device.
Take a break
Play Chess or Step Through My Last Game
Drag pieces to play against an in-browser bot, or load my latest match from Chess.com and take over from my side.
5-Letter Word Game + Definitions
A quick 2-minute word puzzle with instant pronunciations, meanings, and an endless mode whenever you want another round.
5-Light Race Start & Track Lap
Test your launch reaction time against a 5-light starting grid and drive a top-down endurance lap with track boundaries.