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Nelson Zagalo

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http://nelsonzagalo.googlepages.com

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Genre

Nonfiction, Hci, Ux

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Nelson Zagalo is Full Professor of Digital Media at the University of Aveiro. His research focuses on the intersection of human experience and technology, with an increasing focus on meaning-making in Human-AI Interaction. He serves as the Scientific Coordinator of DigiMedia - Digital Media and Interaction Research Center.

He has written the books "Interactive Emotions, from Film to Videogames" (2009), “Videogames in Portugal: History, Technology and Art” (2013), and "Engagement Design. Designing for Interaction Motivations" (2020). Artificial Media (2025) is coming out this July.

Substack: https://mirrorsofthought.substack.com/ ...more

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Average rating: 4.36 · 36 ratings · 9 reviews · 15 distinct works

	Videojogos em Portugal. História, tecnologia e arte 4.47 avg rating — 17 ratings — published 2013	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Engagement Design: Designing for Interaction Motivations (Human–Computer Interaction Series) 4.60 avg rating — 5 ratings — published 2020 — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Interactive Storytelling (LNCS 5915) by Ido A. Iurgel (Editor), Nelson Zagalo (Goodreads Author) (Editor), Paolo Petta (Editor) 4.60 avg rating — 5 ratings — published 2009	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Emoções Interactivas, do Cinema para os Videojogos 3.60 avg rating — 5 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Virtual Worlds and Metaverse Platforms: New Communication and Identity Paradigms by Nelson Zagalo (Goodreads Author) (Editor), Leonel Morgado (Editor), Ana Boa-Ventura (Editor) 4.33 avg rating — 3 ratings — published 2011 — 8 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Videogame Sciences and Arts - VJ2019 by Nelson Zagalo (Goodreads Author) (Editor), Ana Isabel Veloso (Editor), Liliana Costa (Editor) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 1 rating — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Videogame Sciences and Arts: 11th International Conference, VJ 2019, Aveiro, Portugal, November 27–29, 2019, Proceedings (Communications in Computer and Information Science Book 1164) by Nelson Zagalo (Goodreads Author) (editor), Ana Isabel Veloso (editor), Liliana Costa (editor) 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Creativity in the Digital Age (Springer Series on Cultural Computing) by Nelson Zagalo (Goodreads Author) (Editor), Pedro Branco (editor) 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Artificial Media: Emerging Trends in Narratives, Education and Creative Practice (Springer Series on Cultural Computing) by Nelson Zagalo (Goodreads Author) (Editor), Damian Keller (Editor) 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Abordagens da Narrativa nos Media by Nelson Zagalo (Goodreads Author), AUDREY SKOR (Editor), Sandra Oliveira 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Nelson Zagalo's Blog

Intention and Its Absence

1. World Models for LLMs

A new narrative has taken hold in AI research: that large language models remain shallow because they lack grounding in the physical world. Fei-Fei Li expresses it clearly: LLMs are “wordsmiths in the dark”, fluent but ungrounded. The proposed remedy is the development of world models, systems capable of perceiving, predicting, and acting within coherent spatial environ

Nelson is Currently Reading

Nelson Zagalo is currently reading

O Mapeador de Ausências

by Mia Couto

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Dec 30, 2025 01:40PM

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Tudo o Que Um Homem É

by David Szalay

bookshelves: currently-reading, psychological

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Why Does the World Exist?: An Existential Detective Story

by Jim Holt

bookshelves: currently-reading, philosophy, science

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Dec 02, 2025 11:00AM

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Nelson’s Recent Updates

Nelson Zagalo made a comment on his review of The Whisperers: Private Life in Stalin's Russia " This book should be compulsory reading in schools. "
Jan 04, 2026 03:37PM · see review
Nelson Zagalo rated a book it was amazing The Whisperers: Private Life in Stalin's Russia by Orlando Figes	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
O que "The Whisperers: Private Life in Stalin's Russia" (2007), de Orlando Figes, faz não é apenas contar o terror político soviético. Outros livros já contaram o terror político soviético. Este vai mais fundo: entra na vida interior das pessoas que ...more
Jan 04, 2026 04:27AM · 3 likes · like · see review
Nelson Zagalo is now following Orlando Figes Author of A People's Tragedy: The Russian Revolution, 189...
Jan 04, 2026 04:25AM · like
Nelson Zagalo wants to read Dawn (Xenogenesis, #1) by Octavia E. Butler	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jan 04, 2026 01:58AM · 2 likes · like
Nelson Zagalo wants to read Your Name Here by Helen DeWitt	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jan 04, 2026 01:56AM · like
Nelson Zagalo rated a book really liked it Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
‘Stone Yard Devotional’, by Charlotte Wood, is a book that stands out less for the events it recounts and more for the serene way in which the protagonist faces each of these vicissitudes. In an almost meditative way, we follow a woman who abandons h ...more
Dec 30, 2025 01:50PM · 5 likes · like · see review
Nelson Zagalo started reading O Mapeador de Ausências by Mia Couto	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Dec 30, 2025 01:40PM · 2 likes · like
Nelson Zagalo and 370 other people liked Vit Babenco's review of Mason & Dixon: "Mason & Dixon is a Christmas story… Snow-Balls have flown their Arcs, starred the Sides of Outbuildings, as of Cousins, carried Hats away into the brisk Wind off Delaware, – the Sleds are brought in and their Runners carefully dried and greased, shoes " Read more of this review »
Dec 28, 2025 03:39AM · see review
Nelson Zagalo is currently reading Tudo o Que Um Homem É by David Szalay	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Dec 26, 2025 03:13PM · 1 like · like
Nelson Zagalo rated a book liked it A Paz das Colmeias by Alice Rivaz	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
"A Paz das Colmeias" começa como o diário íntimo de uma mulher que observa com lucidez o esvaziamento do casamento e o quotidiano do trabalho, das amizades femininas, dos pequenos gestos domésticos. A primeira parte é forte porque tudo é ancorado em ...more
Dec 26, 2025 03:09PM · 5 likes · like · see review

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Nelson’s Quotes

“The Cosmos is all that is or was or ever will be. Our feeblest contemplations of the Cosmos stir us -- there is a tingling in the spine, a catch in the voice, a faint sensation, as if a distant memory, of falling from a height. We know we are approaching the greatest of mysteries.”
― Carl Sagan, Cosmos

tags: carl-sagan, cosmos, life, mystery, universe

374 likes

“Que todas as pessoas são iguais na sua secreta e silenciosa crença de que no fundo são diferentes de todas as outras.”
― David Foster Wallace, Infinite Jest

tags: philosophy

6 likes

“Acredita que nenhum mestre veneziano possui esta poesia, esta fé, esta tua sensibilidade, nem a pureza e o brilho da tua pintura. Mas os quadros deles são muito mais persuasivos, aproximam-se mais da verdadeira vida. Em vez de pintarem como se estivessem no alto de um minarete, de uma altura suficiente que os faça desdenhar aquilo que os ocidentais chamam perspectiva, eles põem-se, pelo contrário, ao nível da rua, ou no interior do quarto de um príncipe, para pintarem a cama, a colcha, o escritório, o espelho, o seu leopardo, a sua filha, as suas moedas de ouro. Eles põem lá tudo, como sabes. Aliás, nem tudo o que eles fazem me seduz. Indispõem-me e acho mesquinha, sobretudo, aquela maneira de quererem a todo o custo representar o mundo tal como parece. Mas há tanta sedução no resultado que eles obtêm com esse método! Porque eles pintam o que vêem, o que o seu olho vê, exactamente como visão o recebe, enquanto nós pintamos o que contemplamos.”
― Orhan Pamuk, My Name Is Red

tags: arte, perspectiva, pintura

0 likes

“Para ti, a vida tem de ser obrigatoriamente um cenário de mudança e distracção constante, caso contrário, o mundo é uma masmorra: tens de ser admirada, tens de ser cortejada, tens de ser bajulada… tens de ter música, tens de ter bailes, tens de ter companhia… caso contrário, definhas e morres. Será possível que não consigas arranjar maneira de te tornares independente de todas as iniciativas e de todas as vontades para além das que provêm de ti própria? Pega num dia, divide-o em partes, atribui a cada parte uma determinada tarefa; não deixes nem um quarto de hora, nem dez, nem cinco minutos que sejam por preencher, ocupa a totalidade do tempo; desempenha cada tarefa com método, com uma regularidade inflexível. O dia chegará ao fim quase sem dares por isso e não ficarás em dívida para com ninguém por te ter ajudado a livrares-te dum momento de ócio, não te verás obrigada a procurar companhia, a conversa, a simpatia, a tolerância de ninguém; viveste, em resumo, como qualquer criatura independente deve viver. (p.309)”
― Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre

tags: autonomy, inspirational, life

6 likes

“Stop thinking about art works as objects, and start thinking about them as triggers for experiences.”
― Roy Ascott

tags: art, life

10 likes

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message 6: by Nelson

Aug 09, 2017 12:46AM

Luís wrote: "Nelson wrote: "OS 12 MELHORES LIVROS PORTUGUESES DOS ÚLTIMOS 100 ANOS"

Olá Luís, eu tenho estado a dar preferência aos clássicos internacionais, e por isso tenho avançado pouco nesta lista, mas conto ler todos os que aqui estão. Tenho andado a juntá-los e alguns já os li, vamos ver se neste verão despacho mais alguns :)

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message 5: by Nelson (last edited Nov 19, 2016 02:25PM)

Oct 23, 2016 12:53PM

OS 12 MELHORES LIVROS PORTUGUESES DOS ÚLTIMOS 100 ANOS

A Sibila, Agustina Bessa-Luís
Livro do Desassossego, Fernando Pessoa
O Ano da Morte de Ricardo Reis, José Saramago
O Delfim, José Cardoso Pires
Para Sempre, Vergílio Ferreira
Húmus, Raúl Brandão
Mau Tempo no Canal, Vitorino Nemésio
Os Cus de Judas, António Lobo Antunes
A Casa Grande de Romarigães, Aquilino Ribeiro
Finisterra, Carlos de Oliveira
Os Passos em Volta, Herbert Helder
Sinais de Fogo, Jorge de Sena

http://www.revistaestante.fnac.pt/os-...

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message 4: by Nelson

Sep 04, 2016 03:57AM

"Em 1996 David Foster Wallace escreveu um romance sobre a América num futuro próximo, um mundo dominado pelo digital e pela perseguição obsessiva do entretenimento. É uma epopeia alucinante. Há uma nação e, nela, a tristeza dos homens sozinhos. A Piada Infinita faz 20 anos: o futuro é agora."

ISABEL LUCAS (em Boston e na Califórnia)
04/09/2016 - 08:12

https://www.publico.pt/culturaipsilon...

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message 3: by Nelson

Apr 23, 2016 11:52PM

As 50 obras essenciais da literatura portuguesa, ABRIL DE 2016
http://www.dn.pt/artes/interior/as-50...

Lista das 25 obras essenciais em todos os géneros

Os Lusíadas, Camões
Livro do Desassossego, Fernando Pessoa
Sermões, Padre António Vieira
Os Maias, Eça de Queiroz
Cancioneiros Medievais (Cantigas de Amigo e de Amor)
Crónica de D. João I, Fernão Lopes
Peregrinação, Fernão Mendes Pinto
Memorial do Convento, José Saramago
Viagens na Minha Terra, Almeida Garrett
A Brasileira de Prazins, Camilo Castelo Branco
Sôbolos Rios que Vão, António Lobo Antunes
A Sibila, Agustina Bessa-Luís
Sonetos, Antero de Quental
Húmus, Raul Brandão
Livro Sexto, Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen
Menina e Moça, Bernardim Ribeiro
Mau Tempo no Canal, Vitorino Nemésio
A Arte de Ser Português, Teixeira de Pascoaes
A Casa Grande de Romarigães, Aquilino Ribeiro
Sinais de Fogo, Jorge de Sena
Aparição, Vergílio Ferreira Aparição
O Delfim, José Cardoso Pires
Uma Abelha na Chuva, Carlos de Oliveira
Maina Mendes, Maria Velho da Costa
Uma Viagem à Índia, Gonçalo M. Tavares

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message 2: by Nelson (last edited Nov 19, 2016 02:35PM)

Dec 05, 2015 03:34PM

Os Melhores Romances Escritos em Língua Portuguesa

Os Maias - Eça de Queirós
Memorial do Convento - José Saramago
Grande Sertão: Veredas - Guimarães Rosa
Mau Tempo no Canal - Vitorino Nemésio
Viagens na Minha Terra - Almeida Garrett
A Sibila - Agustina Bessa-Luís
Amor de Perdição - Camilo Castelo Branco
Sinais de Fogo - Jorge de Sena
O Delfim - José Cardoso Pires
Memórias Póstumas de Brás Cubas - Machado de Assis
A Casa Grande de Romarigães - Aquilino Ribeiro
Dom Casmurro - Machado de Assis
Gabriela, Cravo e Canela - Jorge Amado
Finisterra - Carlos de Oliveira
O Ano da Morte de Ricardo Reis - José Saramago
Lillias Fraser - Hélia Correia
Eurico, o Presbítero - Alexandre Herculano
A Noite e o Riso - Nuno Bragança
A Queda Dum Anjo - Camilo Castelo Branco
Ensaio sobre a Cegueira - José Saramago
Húmus - Raul Brandão
Para Sempre - Vergílio Ferreira
Os Cus de Judas - António Lobo Antunes
O Primo Basílio - Eça de Queirós
Casas Pardas - Maria Velho da Costa
A Relíquia - Eça de Queirós
A Jangada de Pedra - José Saramago
Um Deus Passeando pela Brisa da Tarde - Mário de Carvalho
A Cidade e as Serras - Eça de Queirós

http://projectoadamastor.org/os-melho...

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message 1: by Nelson (last edited Nov 08, 2014 08:28AM)

Nov 08, 2014 08:08AM

GRANDES LIVROS da LITERATURA PORTUGUESA
Série RTP, 2009, 12 documentários (50 m)

1. Os Maias (Eça De Queirós)
2. Os Lusíadas (Luís Vaz De Camões)
3. O Delfim (José Cardoso Pires)
4. Amor De Perdição (Camilo Castelo Branco)
5. Viagens na Minha Terra (Almeida Garrett)
6. Sermão de Santo (António Aos Peixes)
7. Aparição (Vergílio Ferreira)
8. Livro do Desassossego (Fernando Pessoa)
9. Mau Tempo No Canal (Vitorino Nemésio)
10. Peregrinação (Fernão Mendes Pinto)
11. Sinais De Fogo (Jorge de Sena)
12. Navegações (Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen)

Série completa online:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...
Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/channels/grandeslivr...

Uma série baseada no original "Great Books" do TLC
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lear...)

Alguns episódios: https://www.youtube.com/user/grandesl...

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