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project:
Ubiquitous Place,
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or looking glass immersion? Once upon a time, homes, villages, cities, etc were the nodes of an analogue network fundamentally based on face to face information exchange. The network formula: palpability + tangibility = transparency. Nodes were composed of individual entities. The entities did/could not cross pollinate nodes. Therefore, these nodal boundaries reinforced a time capsule of isolated communalism. Corollary interaction was ordinary. Desirable. Fast forward. The analogue network has been re-imagined digitally. Finite nodes have become infinite. Isolated entities are now plugged into every desirable/conceivable outlet. These range from stock markets to pornographic candy lands. Each node has a different cross section of time, place, and entities composing its digiscape. Information, once contrived and censored, is now openly available to anyone linked in tidy little packets: evanescent transmissions. Communalism is no longer automated. Instead, the network allows individuals to form unique recipes for collectivity globally. The digital network formula: invisibility + polymorphism = opacity. The digital network breeds an ephemeral lifestyle. Individuals are able to censor the physical environment through digital ports -which are omni-present: cellular technologies, wi-fi, bluetooth, etc. The consistent connectivity to the network permits physical escapism. Boredom or disinterest can now be supplemented with an instant connection to an alternate node. Physical awareness begins to disintegrate. Digital dependence propagates. This hyper-nomadic existence enhances individuality to the point it compromises community. An awareness, tolerance, or understanding of differences in individuals' and collectives of individuals' lifestyles is ultimately impoverished. Is there an advantage to transparency? The opacity of the digital network augments privacy. -This, of course, can also be sacrificed when the power of few is abused at the expense of many. Collaterally, curiosity, fear, and suspicion are increased. Voyeurism espouses digital techniques. However, the locks remain abundant. Applying an increasing percentage of translucency to the digital network may incidentally familiarize individuals with each other. This occurs on a reflexive plane. The one way glass is shattered. Access to information is not yielded, it is multiplied. The disconnection between the digital and analogue networks is lessened. Individuality is celebrated in a novel community independent of physical constraints. Written in response to: |
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