Background

The Ontomenator maps the idea of ‘ontomena’, a concept I came up with as a resistance to a whole set of problematic assumptions I saw operating in orthodox, academic philosophy back in the 1990s. Intially, it was a private joke based on a provocative notion of materialism with in-built morals, a collapse of the habitual separation of matter and mind. Later, I began to see it as a viable option, at least for my own version of folk philosophy which purposfully lacked rigour and logic, shunning rationality wherever possible. It stayed there dormant in the background of my work for many years. It is only recently, following my Arts Council DYCP grant, that I have picked it up again.

My first motivation was to try and make some kind of sense out of a lifetime of changing my mind (my nascent art practice was adaptating to rapidly shifting transformations in technology, geopolitics and economics–if that sounds better). Was there any pattern to it? To anything, for that matter. While music, and more broadly sound, have always been central to me, they have had to jostle with other visual media, in particular writing. Alongside this, I developed a need for academic recognition at various junctures, and this took over more or less completely from time to time. I’m over that now. Perhaps, the main thing that has literally grounded my practice is walking.Perhaps, the main practice that has literally grounded my practice is walking. The Ontomenator owes much to this, and could readily aid in the construction of future walks. In more than passing respect for Talking Heads’ Stop Making Sense, I have been reluctant to make sense out of what has been a fairly diverse set of practices over the years. There had to be a way of making sense without making sense. The Ontomenator is my latest attempt at doing that.

During the DYCP (2025-26), I developed my neglected coding skills and eventually managed to construct (vibe?) the map’s basic template and initial set of connections with Anthropic’s Claude/AI. It has been very interesting discussing such an unlikely array of connections with the All-knowing Entity that ‘can make mistakes’. Gosh, yes, can’t it just! At present, the aesthetic is deliberately clunky, because it reflects the basic ethos underlying the ideas. Even if I could build something smooth and slick, I don’t think that would be appropriate for this. It is Heath-Robinson, rather than Sony Walkman.

What exactly is the Ontomenator

The Ontomenator is a work in progress (or regress!). Much of the content is provisional and incomplete. I will be editing it for as long as I am able, I expect. That said, there’s now plenty to go at.

It is a series of 41 ‘Nodes’, and each main node may have sub-node/s, or ‘Folded Aspects’, as they are termed here. There is no limit to the number folded aspects a nde may have, some still have none. The map includes a bibliography of all the main texts and sites referenced. There is also a glossary for some of the less well-known terms, and a list of specific keyboard shortcuts to facilitate navigation.

The nodes are arranged in a ‘Route’, and this can be shuffled or re-arranged according to the user’s choice. A fundamental notion guiding the nodes and the route is that everything is equal, it is a flat hierarchy. As in life, we might choose where we go, but when we’ve been there, there will be a where-we-went. To almost all intents and purposes our route will be linear in time/space single we are single entities. We may avoid nodes and re-visit others, that is the way with the Ontomenator.

The route may be viewed as a ‘Presentation’, which is similar to a full-screen slideshow. The spacebar and arrows may be used to navigate. There is a keyboard shortcuts menu included in the main map.

How do I access it

The Ontomenator is designed to be used on a Desktop device. A large-ish screen is advised so that you can see the full array with all the connections and be able to zoom in and out. Laptops are fine, and probably pads, but I don’t know. It works on mobile, but then is best seen as a list (Route order), because the map is a bit unweildy for small screens.

HERE it is!

Can I make my own

If you’d like to experiment, I have made a blank template with basic instructions on constructing your own. There is no limit to how many nodes and aspects you build. You can run it in any browser and it doesn’t have to be online. You will need a separate folder for media etc.

Download blank Ontomenator template here

Any questions or constructive comments, you can get in touch via the website contact form. I don’t take any responsibility for any issues that may arise from using it, but there isn’t anything to worry about.