Cómo ser un explorador del mundo: Museo de vida portátil

by Keri Smith, Aridela Trejo (Translator)

En todo momento, sin importar en dónde estés, hay cientos de cosas interesantes a tu alrededor que merecen documentarse.

¡Atención! A la persona que tiene este libro en sus manos: si crees que eres incapaz de usar tu imaginación, devuélvelo de inmediato al lugar donde lo tomaste. Este libro no es para ti pues te obligará a dejar a un lado tu incredulidad, a hacer tareas que te harán sentir algo raro, a ver el mundo de formas que te inciten a pensar diferente, conducir experimentos de manera regular y considerar vivos los objetos inanimados.

Genres: Nonfiction, Art, Travel, Self Help, Writing, Reference, Creative

204 pages, Paperback

First published October 7, 2008

About the author

Keri Smith is an author/illustrator turned guerilla artist. She has several bestselling books, including Wreck This Journal, This is Not a Book, How To Be An Explorer of the World, Mess, Finish this Book, and The Wander Society all published by Penguin Books. Read more at her website http://WWW.KERISMITH.COM
http://kerismithbooks.tumblr.com/
http://pinterest.com/penguinbooksusa/...

Reviews

[Medha]

A solid 4.5 stars!

OBSERVE
COLLECT
ANALYZE
COMPARE
NOTICE
PATTERNS

This took me a long time to read as it involved a lot of field work and exploration. This book was really worthwhile and productive. It makes sure you exercise all five of your senses and it makes you explore even the deepest parts of your thoughts!

Now I couldn’t do a lot of exploring outside because of the pandemic but I sure did investigate the four corners of my house thoroughly and I became aware of a certain number of things that were never there or things which I had never noticed before! This may seem like a waste of time but trust me, It’s not! It has a lot of proposals on how you can be a good explorer and seek interest in things that may seem boring to others. This helped me look at things at different angles! Carrying out these explorations was also really self therapeutic.

Okay so don’t tell this to anyone 🤫 but there was this exploration where you needed to go to a public place and overhear conversations and document them! I did that and I heard some really unusual and riveting things! I just loved the whole experience and exposure to things I’m not used to doing! I mean come on! Everyone needs some change in their lives!

“If you find yourself being questioned as to the reasons for your activities, the phrase “I’m conducting research.” Usually satisfies even the nosiest interloper.”

"It is a known condition that when you begin to pay attention to something you’ve never really looked at before you will begin to see it everywhere. You eventually begin to feel as if the thing is out to find you, instead of the other way around."

Definitely recommend this!

[Virginie Roy]

"Always be looking.
Everything is interesting.
Notice the stories going on around you."

Unique book, I might try some of the experimentations!

[Julia]

Ever since I was little I always loved those books that you could write in; the ones that have some story, or quotes, or something inspirational, but also an interactive component.

When I got this book, I wasn't completely sure what to expect; all I knew was I loved the title, the idea, and the glimpses of pages I caught. Now that I've read through it, I absolutely love it. It blends together the ideas of science and art and inspires you to not do anything outrageous, but instead be an explorer in an every day way. Listen a little more carefully, look a little more closely, and recognizes the patterns, colors, and themes that surround us everyday that we pay no attention to.

Some of the ideas in this book are absolutely fantastic (there is one about finding the colors of your world that I'm definitely going to do) and the quotes are well chosen.

Most of all, I LOVE the graphics and how this book is organized. People underestimate how much the stylization of a book matters, but especially in a book like this, it is so important. The font is perfect. The art chosen for each page is fantastic (that is one of the things that initially attracted me to this book). And the way it is all arranged together just exemplifies how there is an art to creating a book that is not only in the words and ideas, but also in its expression as a piece of art.

[Matteo Fumagalli]

"E se ci fossero nel giornale tutti i segreti dell'universo scritti in codice?"

Videorecensione: https://youtu.be/XXVgF2Sprgw

Un libro STUPENDO che ha come scopo l'educazione allo sguardo e l'esercizio di tutti i nostri sensi e capacità di interazione.
Utile per chi non si sorprende mai di niente e per chi crede che per fare esperienze sconvolgenti si debba andare lontani.
A volte, si può tranquillamente fare un viaggio bellissimo rimanendo in casa propria.

[Felicia]

I just loved this book. So inspirational and lovely and a wonderful gift for anyone searching for themselves, or in need of fresh eyes and how to get there.

[Cassidy]

This book. Oh, boy. This book. I could go on for days. How to Be an Explorer of the World by Keri Smith is about seeing the world; it is about listening and observing and collecting and searching for the stories of all the small/lost/broken/misplaced/misunderstood pieces of the world. It can be read on many different levels- cute activity book versus intense philisophical experience- all of which are delightful. The layout of each page, and the text, and the EVERYTHING-

Everyone should read this book. The end.

[Sandra]

Intellectually stimulating.
Both creative and challenging.
It’s all about how it works for you and this was just right for me and my son.

[Cheryl]

Hm. About 1/3 through. I can see the value for people who have been in the habit of choosing other priorities & distractions. But I've always been observant/ aware/ mindful/ present/ curious. For me, the challenge is to appreciate and 'use' all that I've noticed and thought about. Well, and if I'm really lucky, Smith will help me not get disturbed by oblivious ppl who litter, waste, interrupt, etc.
/..........
ok done
For the right Explorer, this could be wonderful. The front end is preloaded with too much instruction so when I wrote the above I didn't realize that I'd actually get to 59 (!) full spread, diverse, intriguing Explorations. If I totally wanted to 'do' this book, I'd probably break it up into 59 packets....

Several things I did like, might possibly use some day:

From the beginning, a list of themes/ categories to use (or be inspired by) to give a focal point to several of the Explorations:
Office Supplies .. Signatures .. Leaves .. Junk Mail .. Long Skinny Things .. Overheard Conversations .. Things that Melt .. Knots .. Arrows .. Grids .. Things that Look Like other Things .. Found Faces .. Textures .. Apologies .. Pencil Rubbings .. Fabric .. Lists .. Things on the Sidewalk ....

"Exploration #27 Accidental Art." This is where I could look at litter & messes with a fresh eye, considering their shapes, composition, etc. as if I was going to take photos. Btw, I do already tell myself a little story about rude people, the kind of bad day they're having and what they'd do instead if they were having a good day.

There's an Anecdote at Exploration #40 about a teacher in Keri's art school who looked at everything upside-down.. even sculpture by getting himself upside down, to change his pov.

#44 includes the suggestion to create poems using book titles (see Nina Katchadourian.

"#55 Ways to Transform an Everyday Experience: Pretend you are someone else. 'What would __ do?' Wear a costume or disguise. Alter your habitual routine. Take a different route. ...."

I do wish that this was the Keri Smith book I owned, and that 'not a book' was a library book, because this one I could spend time with. I dunno. Maybe if I ever get to a point in my life where I'm actually bored (instead of just trying to always broaden my horizons) I could buy this. Or if my eyes get so bad I can't read as much, I could do some of these exercises.

What's your favorite source of artistic or metaphysical prompts or explorations?

[Monica Kim | Musings of Monica]

I have been reading this book, "How to Be an Explorer of the World: PORTABLE LIFE MUSEUM" by Keri Smith the last couple of weeks. This is a wonderful book for people of all ages who are curious about everything in this world. I have been naturally curious all my life; especially being a Gemini, I'll read about everything and try something at least once.
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In this colorful, fun, and engaging book, the author encourages and teaches us how to look at the world with new eyes and to be more conscious of our surroundings through various activities & exercises -- you'll be creating, documenting, and collecting, thus creating your own "museum." I love being outdoors and looking at random things, so I'm excited to see how my "museum" comes alive as I collect artifacts throughout the year.
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synopsis: From the internationally bestselling creator of Wreck This Journal, an interactive guide for exploring and documenting the art and science of everyday life.

Artists and scientists analyze the world around them in surprisingly similar ways, by observing, collecting, documenting, analyzing, and comparing. In this captivating guided journal, readers are encouraged to explore their world as both artists and scientists.

The mission Smith proposes? To document and observe the world around you as if you’ve never seen it before. Take notes. Collect things you find on your travels. Document findings. Notice patterns. Copy. Trace. Focus on one thing at a time. Record what you are drawn to.

Through this series of beautifully hand-illustrated interactive prompts, readers will enjoy exploring and discovering the world in ways they never even imagined.

[Jahnie]

Love this book!

[Dave Schaafsma]

A kind of quirky and philosophical book for kids and parents about seeing the world differently, with several "explorations" to keep people busy for a summer, and more. Has places in the book for research notes, data collection, setting up a place for a museum (or way to demonstrate your findings). It's not about the usual kinds of collections, such as bugs or leaves, but collecting objects on the way to school, or a sound map, or faces you see in common every day objects. Of course, it's kinda about ways of seeing. Lynda Barry has one of these how-to art books for visual and rotten storytelling, to help readers become artists and writers of their own worlds. This is like that, but takes a kind of kid research angle to it… Cool. We will do this.

[Mandy]

No thanks. Though perfect for that artistic 16 year old who "nobody gets"

[MUHAMMAD ABDULLAH]

Keri Smith’s How to Be an Explorer of the World is not a typical book you just read—it’s an interactive invitation to see everyday life with fresh eyes. The book blends prompts, sketches, and creative exercises that encourage readers to collect, observe, and document the small details around them, turning ordinary experiences into an adventure.

What I loved most is how it inspires curiosity and mindfulness. Smith makes you realize that exploration doesn’t require travel to distant lands; it can happen on your own street, in your kitchen, or during a simple walk. Her whimsical illustrations and playful tone make the process fun, while the prompts spark creativity in unexpected ways.

That said, this book is more of a hands-on journal than a traditional read. If you’re looking for deep narrative or theory, you may find it light. But if you embrace it as a tool, it can change the way you engage with the world.

[Patrick Sherriff]

I found this in a second hand bookshop in Japan today and bought it on a whim. It's a fun, easy-to-read guidebook to creative thinking (took me less than two leisurely hours in a coffee shop to get through) that's perfect for the wannabe artist who needs somewhere to begin. That somewhere is here, beginning with thinking about your immediate vicinity and categorising everything great and small (but mostly small) around you. Good stuff, and pre-dates Austin Cleon's similar (but for my money, better) Steal Like an Artist by a couple of years.

Download my starter library for free here - http://eepurl.com/bFkt0X - and receive my monthly newsletter with book recommendations galore for the Japanophile/crime fiction/English teacher in all of us.

[Amelia]

When I was a sad tween scribbling alone in notebooks I found this book and it changed my life and introduced me to Anaïs Nin and Jorge Luis Borges among others and now I’m working on a creative dissertation! Sometimes I think I have taken the whimsy too far but other times I think without my whimsy I’d have given up long ago.

[Sabaa]

It’s a book that forces you to put down your phone and actually notice the texture of the sidewalk or the pattern of the clouds. It’s deeply grounding and surprisingly rebellious in a world that wants us to just keep consuming instead of noticing.

[Via]

"Often we forget about the physicality of observing, literally changing our viewpoint or perspective."

"We have become glued to our computer and television screens that we forget to explore the natural world, the original instructor on how to be curious about detail." (Jennifer New)

This book opens its readers to a whole new world stripped of its familiarity. From accidental art to things we've never seen before, from what we choose to keep and what we throw away, it makes us explore the world like we've seen it before.

"To question that which seems to have ceased forever to astonish us."

How to be an Explorer of the World is a quick-read interactive book that engages its readers to the outside world and makes them appreciate it even more. Cut and tear pages of the book, write down field notes, paint it, smudge it, glue things on it --- everything will end up being "personal" and unique. The text is handwritten and the illustrations are wacky and strikingly unconventional which makes the reading experience a little bit more enjoyable.

Read it if you need a nudge to see the world in another angle. “Creativity arises from our ability to see things from many different angles.” Anything can be a starting point. Stop reading this. Shut down that computer screen. Explore the world!

[jess]

This is one of those books that is great for creative people or people who want to develop creative habits/perspectives. It is a collection of exercises gathered mostly from external (well-cited) sources that will give you a method of moving through your life like an explorer. By following all the exercises in here, you could create a portable museum of your life, certainly, and there is advice on how to even have showings or exhibitions of your museum. I can see this ultimately being more useful as a strategy guide. I thought that the bibliography was one of the most useful parts of the book. Keri Smith draws inspiration from considerably variable and interesting places, and it was nice to see what she had wandered through to bring together this portable museum exercise.

[Catherine]

The title was perhaps the best part of the book - the rest was underwhelming. The graphics were unattractive, the `explorations' tended to be repetitive & uninspired, & the overall the book was boring. Perhaps it was just not written for me - some seemed aimed at very young children & other parts seemed to be for older children who didn't go outside much, but I didn't find it in the children's section of the library, nor in the humor section so I don't think she was just being ironic with her exploration choices

[Lyz]

An art teacher friend loaned this to me--I need to get my own copy! This "activity" book is about observing, documenting, collecting... noticing and being amazed at the little things... how to look at the banal around you and see it as if you were a tourist, new to your own world (in a fun, adventurous way). This book is fascinating as an adult, and would also be interesting to do with wee people.

[ali]

Although I like Keri Smith, this book left me underwhelmed. A lot of repetition and not very inspiring. If you are a mindful person, none of this will be new to you. This is definitely a book that you borrow from the library, not purchase.

[Bastian Greshake Tzovaras]

A lovely book that urges you to open your eyes and see and take note of your environment. With lots of suggestions on how to train your eyes, by collecting and charting colors, accidental art, etc. I'll definitely give some of them a try.

[Scarlet Cameo]

Este libro podría haber Sido muy divertido....de no ser porque es un préstamo de labios miniteca pública.

Vienen la idea, mal en la ejecución. Muy recomendable si quieres hacer actividades con niños...o darle un giro a tu rutina.

[emily gielshire]

read this standing in line at goodwill yesterday and obviously bought it because it is my precise life philosophy (everything IS interesting, if you let it be). looking forward to going back and doing the exercises.

[Stacia Leigh]

Would make a wonderful art class companion. Especially if you have to keep/fill a journal

[Tina H]

Fun little book with some thoughtful, creative ideas of interacting with the world

[Antonio Sotelo Ponce]

Excelenteeee

[sophie]

❤️thank you chi town lil library

[Hobi Việt Nam]

H1: Sàn gỗ bị ngấm nước – Cách xử lý đúng để hạn chế hư hỏng

Sàn gỗ bị ngấm nước là tình trạng nhiều gia đình gặp phải khi xảy ra rò rỉ đường ống, nước mưa tràn vào nhà hoặc nước đọng lâu trên bề mặt sàn. Nếu không xử lý kịp thời, hiện tượng này có thể ảnh hưởng đến tính thẩm mỹ, làm giảm tuổi thọ của sàn và gây phát sinh nhiều chi phí sửa chữa. Tuy nhiên, không phải trường hợp nào cũng cần thay mới toàn bộ sàn. Việc nhận biết đúng dấu hiệu, xác định mức độ ngấm nước và áp dụng phương pháp xử lý phù hợp sẽ giúp hạn chế hư hỏng và bảo vệ công trình hiệu quả hơn.

1. Dấu hiệu nhận biết sàn gỗ bị ngấm nước

Không phải lúc nào nước ngấm vào sàn cũng dễ dàng nhận ra ngay từ đầu. Trong nhiều trường hợp, bề mặt vẫn giữ nguyên hình thức nhưng phần bên dưới đã bắt đầu chịu ảnh hưởng do độ ẩm tích tụ.

Việc phát hiện sớm sẽ giúp xử lý kịp thời trước khi hư hỏng lan rộng và ảnh hưởng đến các khu vực xung quanh.

Một số dấu hiệu thường gặp gồm:

Bề mặt sàn xuất hiện hiện tượng phồng hoặc cong nhẹ.

Các mối ghép giữa các tấm sàn có dấu hiệu hở.

Màu sắc bề mặt thay đổi so với khu vực xung quanh.

Khi bước lên sàn có cảm giác không còn bằng phẳng.

Xuất hiện mùi ẩm kéo dài trong khu vực lát sàn.

Khi nhận thấy một hoặc nhiều dấu hiệu trên, nên kiểm tra nguyên nhân để có hướng xử lý phù hợp.

2. Nguyên nhân khiến sàn gỗ bị ngấm nước

Để xử lý triệt để, việc xác định đúng nguyên nhân là rất quan trọng. Không phải mọi trường hợp ngấm nước đều xuất phát từ cùng một nguồn, vì vậy cách khắc phục cũng có thể khác nhau.

Những nguyên nhân phổ biến gồm:

Rò rỉ đường ống nước bên dưới hoặc gần khu vực lát sàn.

Nước mưa tràn vào nhà qua cửa hoặc cửa sổ.

Lau sàn bằng lượng nước quá nhiều, khiến nước tồn đọng tại các khe ghép.

Nước đọng lâu trên bề mặt mà không được xử lý kịp thời.

Độ ẩm trong không gian tăng cao trong thời gian dài.

Việc xác định đúng nguyên nhân sẽ giúp hạn chế tình trạng tái diễn sau khi sửa chữa.

3. Cách xử lý sàn gỗ bị ngấm nước theo từng mức độ

Không phải mọi trường hợp đều cần tháo dỡ toàn bộ hệ sàn. Tùy vào mức độ ngấm nước, bạn có thể áp dụng những giải pháp phù hợp để giảm thiểu ảnh hưởng đến công trình.

Ngấm nước nhẹ

Nếu nước chỉ xuất hiện trên bề mặt trong thời gian ngắn, nên xử lý càng sớm càng tốt để hạn chế nước thấm xuống dưới.

Có thể thực hiện bằng cách:

Lau khô ngay khu vực bị ướt.

Mở cửa để tăng lưu thông không khí.

Hỗ trợ làm khô bằng quạt trong khu vực cần xử lý.

Ngấm nước cục bộ

Khi nước đã ảnh hưởng đến một số vị trí nhất định nhưng chưa lan rộng, cần theo dõi kỹ tình trạng bề mặt và các mối ghép.

Những việc nên thực hiện gồm:

Kiểm tra khu vực có dấu hiệu phồng hoặc cong.

Theo dõi sự thay đổi sau khi làm khô.

Đánh giá xem có cần xử lý cục bộ hay không.

Ngấm nước nghiêm trọng

Nếu nước tồn đọng trong thời gian dài hoặc xuất hiện hư hỏng trên diện rộng, việc kiểm tra kỹ toàn bộ khu vực là cần thiết trước khi quyết định phương án xử lý tiếp theo.

4. Những sai lầm cần tránh khi xử lý sàn gỗ bị ngấm nước

Trong quá trình xử lý, nhiều người vô tình thực hiện những thao tác có thể khiến tình trạng trở nên nghiêm trọng hơn. Việc tránh các sai lầm phổ biến sẽ giúp bảo vệ bề mặt sàn tốt hơn.

Để nước tồn đọng quá lâu: Đây là nguyên nhân khiến độ ẩm có nhiều thời gian thấm xuống các khe ghép.

Sử dụng nhiệt quá cao để làm khô: Điều này có thể ảnh hưởng đến bề mặt hoàn thiện của sàn.

Không xử lý nguồn gây rò rỉ: Nếu nguyên nhân vẫn tồn tại, tình trạng ngấm nước sẽ tiếp tục lặp lại.

Bỏ qua các dấu hiệu nhỏ: Những thay đổi ban đầu thường là cơ sở để phát hiện sớm hư hỏng.

Xử lý đúng cách ngay từ đầu sẽ giúp giảm nguy cơ phát sinh chi phí sửa chữa lớn hơn.

5. Quy trình xử lý sàn gỗ bị ngấm nước hiệu quả

Một quy trình xử lý rõ ràng sẽ giúp hạn chế hư hỏng lan rộng và hỗ trợ đánh giá chính xác tình trạng của sàn sau khi gặp nước.

Các bước xử lý thường bao gồm:

Bước 1: Xác định nguồn nước. Kiểm tra nguyên nhân gây ngấm để xử lý trước.

Bước 2: Lau khô bề mặt. Loại bỏ nước còn tồn đọng trên sàn.

Bước 3: Tăng lưu thông không khí. Mở cửa hoặc sử dụng quạt để hỗ trợ làm khô.

Bước 4: Kiểm tra các mối ghép. Quan sát xem có dấu hiệu phồng, cong hoặc hở khe hay không.

Bước 5: Đánh giá tình trạng sau khi khô. Quyết định phương án xử lý tiếp theo nếu cần.

Thực hiện đầy đủ các bước này sẽ giúp hạn chế ảnh hưởng của nước đến hệ sàn và tạo cơ sở để xử lý phù hợp với từng mức độ hư hỏng.

6. Xu hướng lựa chọn vật liệu phù hợp với nhu cầu sử dụng

Khi cải tạo hoặc thay thế sàn sau sự cố ngấm nước, nhiều người có xu hướng tìm hiểu kỹ hơn về các giải pháp vật liệu phù hợp với nhu cầu sử dụng và điều kiện không gian. Việc cân nhắc giữa tính thẩm mỹ, khả năng ứng dụng và phương án hoàn thiện sẽ giúp quá trình đầu tư trở nên hiệu quả hơn.

Xu hướng lựa chọn vật liệu hiện nay cũng hướng đến sự cân bằng giữa thiết kế và công nghệ sản xuất để đáp ứng nhiều yêu cầu khác nhau trong các công trình dân dụng và thương mại.

Bạn có thể tham khảo thêm góc nhìn về xu hướng vật liệu trong bài viết của VietBao: Top 5 thương hiệu sàn nhựa được nhiều gia đình lựa chọn nhất 2026

7. Cách phòng tránh sàn gỗ bị ngấm nước trong quá trình sử dụng

Phòng tránh luôn là giải pháp hiệu quả hơn so với việc sửa chữa sau khi sự cố xảy ra. Một số thói quen đơn giản trong quá trình sử dụng có thể giúp giảm đáng kể nguy cơ nước ảnh hưởng đến hệ sàn.

Để bảo vệ sàn tốt hơn, nên lưu ý:

Lau khô ngay khi nước đổ ra sàn.

Kiểm tra định kỳ đường ống nước trong khu vực có nguy cơ rò rỉ.

Hạn chế để nước đọng lâu tại các khe ghép hoặc chân tường.

Giữ không gian thông thoáng để hạn chế độ ẩm tích tụ.

Theo dõi các dấu hiệu bất thường để xử lý sớm nếu phát hiện.

Duy trì những thói quen này sẽ giúp kéo dài tuổi thọ của hệ sàn và hạn chế nguy cơ phát sinh chi phí sửa chữa.

Kết luận

Sàn gỗ bị ngấm nước không đồng nghĩa với việc phải thay mới toàn bộ ngay lập tức. Điều quan trọng là phát hiện sớm dấu hiệu, xác định đúng nguyên nhân và áp dụng phương pháp xử lý phù hợp với từng mức độ ảnh hưởng. Khi kết hợp việc xử lý kịp thời với các biện pháp phòng ngừa trong quá trình sử dụng, bạn có thể bảo vệ tính thẩm mỹ của không gian và kéo dài tuổi thọ cho hệ sàn trong thời gian dài. 

Tham khảo thêm hình ảnh và thông tin liên quan tại: https://ko-fi.com/hobivietnam  

 

[Stephen]

A few friends were given this journal of sorts in a Foundations Art program at Alfred University. I decided to pick it up to see what might be inside.

I feel this text is for the stunted artist, perhaps one that needs faith in self to become an artist or the wayward youth unfocused. Perhaps it is right to give this text to those beginning their academic adventure into the art world, but I feel that having made the great leap to decide on going to college for art, the text may seem trivial, mundane, cliche- wait I mean kitsch (as far as art terms go). These are the same sorts of ideas one might find in an inspirational calendar."Everyone is an artist." exclaims Joseph Bueys on the back cover. Well if this is true, why read the book, why go to school..... I think a text by/about Bueys might be more appropriate.

Anyways I have digressed as far as any reader here.This book is for the truly lost artistic soul, those too fearful to have taken leaps and must have a manual to live again as someone interested in the world. It is well packaged and very pleasing- perhaps so much that the intrepid explorer might not fancy to write in it- which is the whole point of the excercises proposed in thsi book...

Still I have to say I picked this up when I lost my way in creating and it did push me to create again... So bravo- from this dual-natured reader/artist.