"The Power of Sharing," "Are We There Yet," "We Are What You Share" by Deanna Zandt (Response)

The discussion of power law distributions is very interesting (p. 56). It's interesting to note that while there is huge variety of information and opinions shared online, sometimes it's difficult to locate them and many of them aren't shared widely. Because of this, it's difficult to discover a wide variety of quality opinions via serendipity. One has to consciously seek out diverse opinions to encounter them. The echo chamber that many folks exist in reinforces existing beliefs, and this certainly extends beyond social media to the web in general and especially broadcast media.

I also appreciate the discussion of digital inequality. The author makes the point that "Addressing digital inequality must take into account larger systemic and cultural divides that both create the inequality and reinforce it" (p. 58). This is a common theme in addressing any type of inequality. Many folks try to fix it by treating the symptoms, i.e. giving disadvantaged people computers or internet access, but they ignore or are unable to address the root causes that denied those things to that population in the first place. Yes, one can make the world a better place by address symptoms, but unless root causes of poverty and other forms of inequality are addressed systemically, other forms of inequality will continue to stem from those same sources, whether in the education system, transportation access, job market, intergenerational wealth distribution, or computers and internet access.

Interesting point about information access at the library; <geek warning!>

The author notes that 'content available' may be limited at the library (p. 59). I was reading reviews online of the Richland Public Library, and there were criticisms about Urban Dictionary being blocked. This review was from some time ago. Curious, I tried accessing Urban Dictionary from a RPL computer, and while it was not blocked, I noticed that the HTTPS certificate did not come from Urban Dictionary. I opened up the certificate settings and it was registered to Richland Public Library, which indicates that the library could see all the internet traffic to and from Urban Dictionary. Other secure sites that I tried did not show this kind of tampering.

"The ABC of Tactical Media" by David Garcia & Geert Lovink (Response)

Tactical media is a way for people to find their voice. Affordable consumer electronics and nearly ubiquitous wireless and wired broadband helped democratize the sharing of information and disparate points of view. Tactical media falls into the category of bottom up or grassroots resistance, and it is within the power of almost anyone to exercise. In tactical media, "the weak make use of the strong" (p. 82). Even so, people and organizations with money can drown out these independent voices with paid ads, like Trump is doing right now on Facebook. The author quotes Peter Lamborn Wilson, who describes tactical media as a "useful antidote" to "the unopposed rule of money over human beings" (pg 81), but this does require a concerted effort, and it is helpful to have numbers on your side (either in the creation or support of tactical media) to gain the inertia to make it effective.

I do think tactical media is a necessary response to mainstream media. Even media that purports to be balanced ignores some of the meta-analysis of the larger role it plays in perpetuating hype or lies (repeated interviews with known liars like Kellyanne Conway for example). This is the problem with media that is not self-reflective, what the authors note as a "continual process of questioning the premises of the channels they work with" (p. 82).

I appreciate the authors' zen-like focus on "temporary connections you are able to make" (p. 82). "Here and now" (p. 82) is all we have.

"Relational artifacts with children and elder" by Sherry Turkle, et al (Response)

What is the role for these objects?
These objects have a definite role in nursing homes. In addition to being a potential emotional outlet for very lonely patients, they can fulfill a role that supplements the physical element that caregivers provide. Two examples in the reading include giving reminders to take medications and calling a nurse (pg. 98). Robots that can recognize patients and address them by name would also lead to a more rewarding emotional connection.

Using the robots to automate and augment both emotional and physical care would lead to happier residents and less stressed staffed in overworked facilities. In any event, the precarious position these objects occupy between machine and seeming sentience must be managed thoughtfully. In fact, Turkle, et al note that detailed studies are necessary to increase "the opportunities for the social sciences to inform the design of robots in ways that will enhance human experience" (pg. 87). While these objects may serve as tools that improve peoples' circumstances, I think they can also be used to more thoroughly discover what peoples' emotional needs are and to find better ways for people to communicate and relate to one another. There are fundamental questions about what it means to be human, and while these devices can shed light on that question, and perhaps make someone's life easier, the essential issue of personhood should never be forgotten.

This reading reinforced for me the realization that art is a kind of philosophy and psychology. As the author writes, "the Rorschach response gives priority to the psychological; attention to the evocative power of objects puts the emphasis on philosophy" (pg. 87).

Reading Response: "From Participation to Interaction" by Söke Dinkla

I appreciated reading this piece, most specifically because it relates to a project I am working on. Dinkla writes that “audience participation was [a]… means to reduce the distance between performer and audience… by spatial integration” (p. 69). This makes art more accessible, and it lowers the barrier to making art. Dinkla quotes Erkki Huhtamo, who notes that participatory art is about ‘the annihilation of the barrier between life and art’ (p. 71). I’m curious though, when that barrier is blurred, or completely eliminated, what is art then? To me, I suppose that is the point – to shift the perspective and prompt a deeper understanding of what art-life is. Rather than going through life asleep, we should wake up to the possibilities around us and be aware of how our actions and interactions influence ourselves, society and the world.

I’m not sure this occurs in the same way with the Happenings; Dinkla does write that “participation is located along the fragile border between emancipatory act and manipulation” (p. 73). I’m curious about the self-reflection that occurs in an authoritarian-manipulative environment. When someone’s actions are instructed, I do think that makes them think about manipulation and authority. Just ask anyone who spent time in the military.

Dinkla writes about the paradoxical and “historically rooted antagonism between nature and technology” (p. 74). I think this is part and parcel of this course, and it captures some of what I was attempting to communicate in my first project. It really is the gist of some of my key existential questions. I found this piece to be inspirational in helping me come up with several ideas for future projects that look at how social interactions in public spaces are mediated by technology.