About Me

Hello, I'm Karl Fuchser. My work sits at the intersection of history, data analysis, and technology. For years, I've been fascinated by the hidden forces that shape our world—the subtle rules that govern how a city grows, why a community thrives or declines, or how ideas spread. My projects, collections, and simulations are all part of a single, ongoing effort to better understand these intricate systems.

My Approach: The Historical Digital Twin

I believe that to understand a system, you must be able to build it. My approach is centered on the concept of the "historical digital twin"—creating dynamic, agent-based models of past environments. These aren't just static maps or charts; they are living simulations where autonomous agents (representing households, businesses, or institutions) make decisions based on a set of historical rules.

By running these models, we can do more than just observe what happened. We can ask "what if?"

• What if an interstate highway had been built five miles south of a town?
• How resilient was a community to an economic shock, like the closing of a major factory?
• What long-term effects did a decade of drought have on the settlement patterns of a region?

This method allows us to test hypotheses and see how small changes can lead to vastly different outcomes, turning historical data into a laboratory for experimentation.

My Tools

Bringing these simulations to life requires a specific set of tools. My work primarily relies on open-source software that allows for robust analysis and modeling. This includes:

• QGIS for geospatial analysis and digitizing historical maps.
• NetLogo for building and visualizing agent-based models.
• Python (with libraries like GeoPandas and Mesa) for advanced data processing and custom simulations.

I discuss these tools and my workflow in greater detail in the Toolbox section of this site.

Beyond the Code

When I'm not digging through historical archives or debugging a model, my curiosity extends to collecting books, maps, and exploring the perfect cup of coffee. These pursuits, much like my digital projects, are about finding patterns, appreciating craftsmanship, and understanding the stories behind the things we create.

Get in Touch

I'm always open to discussing ideas, collaborating on projects, or answering questions. The best way to reach me is via email at your.email@example.com or by connecting with me on LinkedIn.