In another facet of my existence, I practice a Japanese martial art called Aikido. The central themes of Aikido are harmony and calmness. So when Tyler Streeter asked me to review his app iBonsai, which grows a virtual bonsai tree on your iPhone, I didn’t rush to write it up, but took my time and serenely composed my thoughts…
According to Wikipedia, “The purposes of bonsai are primarily contemplation (for the viewer) and the pleasant exercise of effort and ingenuity (for the grower).”
The app is certainly ingenious. Tyler has developed an algorithm that randomly generates a different tree each time. Each tree takes about 15-30 seconds to grow. You can rotate the tree, zoom in and out, and save the finished tree using the screenshot function (hold home key & press power button). Also, shake the phone and the leaves will fall from the tree.
The next version will incorporate dynamically-generated ambient music and interactive control over the growing process. I’d also like to see the app continually generate new trees after a set amount of time, although I’m not sure that having a constant stream of new trees is necessarily in-keeping with the restful nature of bonsai reflection.
For me, apps like this are an interesting diversion. Having two young kids, I don’t have a lot of time for meditative contemplation (!). But I can see the appeal for those who do.
More details are available at Brainpower Labs.
iBonsai is available for £1.79 from the App Store.