Randonautica

Randonautica, a portmanteau of "random" + "nautica", is an app launched in early 2020 founded by Joshua Lengfelder[1](/lænɡfældɛr/). It randomly generates coordinates that enables the user to explore their local area and report on their findings. Randonautica, according to its creators, is "an attractor of strange things," letting one choose specific coordinates based on a certain theme.[2] It has gained controversy after several reports on the app generating coordinates, seemingly coincidentally, where disturbing things were present. The app is currently in its Beta version.

Randonautica
Initial releaseEarly 2020
Stable release
Beta
Operating systemiOS
Android
Browser
Available inEnglish
TypeGeographic coordinate system

Overview

Randonautica is said to generate three types of coordinates: an attractor, a void, and an anomaly. An attractor is a coordinate with the highest, "most significant" concentration of quantum dots, which could possibly inspire and uplift the users; a void is the antonym of it; and an anomaly can be described as both an attractor and a void.[3] It is inspired by the chaos theory and Guy Debord's Theory of the Derive.[1] The quantum data is powered by the Australian National University. There are two slangs in the app community: Randonauting (the activity of using Randonautica), and Randonaut (a person who uses Randonautica). There is also a subreddit made by the creators for the Randounauts.[3]

Reception

The app has as many as eight million users, gaining popularity amid the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States as restrictions have been lightened.[4] Emma Chamberlain made a YouTube video about the app that helped increase its following.[1] i-D reported that the hashtag #randonautica has gained 176.5 million views on TikTok,[5] although it has not marketed itself yet.[6]

Controversy
"When you’re sending millions of people to random locations and searching the hidden corners of reality, you’re bound to find some pretty shocking stuff sometimes. It’s not the best press, but I’m not really that upset about it, because it’s kind of cool. I kind of wish it was me who found it."

- Joshua Lengfelder, founder of Randonautica, in response to the controversial video.

With the app's popularity users started reporting coincidences which many find unsettling. The majority of reports were from TikTok and Reddit.[7]

The most trending controversy involves a group people heading to a beach in Duwamish Head, Puget Sound, West Seattle per the app, where they found a bag with two dead bodies, 27 and 36, male and female, as reported by the Seattle Police homicide detectives.[8][9] As of June 30, the investigation is still ongoing.[9] This has caused theories circulating that the app has an intended, puzzle-like theme, however Lengfelder stated that it is "a shocking coincidence."[6]

Other controversies include the app leading its user to her grandfather's grave,[5] the coordinates leading to a mysterious area in the woods, and similar incidents.[7]

gollark: I don't like that either. But it seems more elegant.
gollark: Why not just simplify it to "you provide a government ID and get a login of some form, which issues captcha tokens"?
gollark: I see.
gollark: Why do you need credit card numbers? Also, that limit seems too low for some users.
gollark: I would also really rather not have SIM cards do more things since I dislike "trusted computing". Also that.

See also

References
  1. "How Does Randonautica Work? The Creepy, TikTok Famous App Can Help You Realize Intentions". Bustle. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  2. "The App of the Summer Is Just a Random-Number Generator". The Atlantic. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  3. "Randonautica explained: what it is and how to use it". Pocket Tactics. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  4. "Teens Find Body in Suitcase on Beach While Using Random Geographic Explorer App". Inside Edition. June 22, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  5. Schofield, Daisy (July 1, 2020). "Randonauting: The random coordinates app leading TikTok users to dead bodies". i-D. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  6. Lampen, Claire (July 2, 2020). "A Mystical, TikTok-Famous App Led Teens to a Dead Body". The Cut. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  7. Emanuel, Daniella. "19 Really Freaky Coincidences People Have Experienced While Using Randonautica". BuzzFeed. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  8. Tiffany, Kaitlyn (July 21, 2020). "The App of the Summer Is Just a Random-Number Generator". The Atlantic. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  9. "Detectives Investigating After Human Remains Found in West Seattle". spdblotter.seattle.gov. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
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