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live chat with MEZ 10/17 (Leonardo Electronic Almanac Discussion)
by Charles Baldwin 13 Oct '06

13 Oct '06

_Leonardo Electronic Almanac Discussion (LEAD): Vol 14 No 5_ :: Live chat with MEZ about creating the co[de][i]n.Text and other topics. :: Chat date: Tuesday, October 17. :: 12 midnight West Coast US / 3 am East Coast USA / 9 am Paris FR / 5 pm Melbourne AU :: LEAD is an open forum around the New Media Poetics special issue of Leonardo Electronic Almanac. Chat instructions are here: http://www.leoalmanac.org/journal/Vol_14/lea_v14_n05-06/forum.asp. PLEASE NOTE: The instructions are intended to apply to all jabber chat clients, but there may be some variation for individual clients. For example, some clients may require the chat room server "conference.jabber.org" and others clients only "jabber.org." Also, please refer to the link for a complete schedule of upcoming chats and for instructions on joining chats. About MEZ: a partial bibliograph can be accessed - with varying degrees of chronology + linearity - from the following. Warning: search.behavior may be required/n.couraged. http://www.hotkey.net.au/~netwurker/nav.htm http://www.hotkey.net.au/~netwurker/resume2d.htm

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Re: [Air-l] Trolls, Tribes, and flamewars
by elw＠stderr.org 13 Oct '06

13 Oct '06

What's your intent, Cornwell? I've identified plenty of trollish behavior in the past; it is incredibly common, not unusual at all. I do tend to have a bit of a sharp edge, and admit that readily. I can't say as I believe your intentions to be honorable or straightforward at all. Are you trying to provoke some particular reaction? Perhaps trying to threaten me, in some sad way? I asked you once before not to contact me off-list; please cease and desist. I don't have anything to talk with you about that belongs off-list. [Given that air-l is the only place I've run across you, and the proper venue for this, I'm redirecting this traffic there now.] --elijah On Thu, 12 Oct 2006, Dr. W. Reid Cornwell wrote: > Date: Thu, 12 Oct 2006 11:49:23 -0600 > From: Dr. W. Reid Cornwell <wrc(a)tcfir.org> > To: elw(a)stderr.org > Subject: Trolls, Tribes, and flamewars > > Elijah, > > I have been studying the behavior of internet users. I have observed that > you have frequently labeled people as trolls. > > I intend to publish some of your publicly available comments directed at > myself and others would you care to comment for the record? > > Reid > > ________________________________ > > > Dr. W. Reid Cornwell > The Center For Internet Research > P.O. Box 6369 > Breckenridge, CO > > 720.212.0719 (phone) > 970.485.5109 (mobile) > wrc(a)tcfir.org > http://tcfir.org > > > > >

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Re: [Air-l] ICT's Timeline: thanks and answers
by Julian Hopkins 13 Oct '06

13 Oct '06

Dear Jeremy, You said: " The only question which remains is : has it been used as tool by journalists and/or information management profesionals ?" --> As regards the ZX80, and descendents, the answer would be no. These computers were primarily used as gaming computers (I think), most likely by young men/teenagers. The point by Elizabeth remains extremely pertinent though - the cultural context needs to be taken into account. You also said: "I sustain the thesis (in very short) that profesional Information mediators (i.eJournalists and Information managers in companies) played the role of obliged relay of infrmation until recent years. The emregence of technologies (devices and tools) has permitted to those profesionals' audiences to avoid that relay by consuming, managing and producing information on their own." --> This approach seems like an interesting and fruitful one. As I said above, the ZX80 and descendents would not be directly relevant here. But since your overall approach seems to be that by putting computing power in 'non-professional' hands is bypassing these mediators, then understanding how computers became so ubiquitous would require some explanation of the mass-market aspect of it, I think. You said: " About databases, I don't consider them as an exclusively IT thing but my initial hypothesis is that they permitted to develop IT tools; Am I wrong ?" --> um... I don't know really :) I suppose you must be right somewhere, and a lot of the internet (e.g. Google. eBay, etc.) is probably just a nice interface sitting on a huge 'back-office' database. Regards, Julian ++++++++++ Julian Hopkins Lecturer HELP University College - ADP Kuala Lumpur tel: +60 3 2095 8791 x2913 email: julianh(a)help.edu.my

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book on the russian internet
by Jose-Carlos Mariategui 12 Oct '06

12 Oct '06

This book is available for download and seems quite interesting: ------ Forwarded Message From: olga goriunova <og(a)dxlab.org> Reply-To: olga goriunova <og(a)dxlab.org> Date: Thu, 12 Oct 2006 15:48:20 +0400 To: <spectre(a)mikrolisten.de> Subject: [spectre] book on the russian internet dear all, i am happy to announce the publication of the book of research on the russian internet. it's a great opportunity for those of you who don't speak russian to get acquainted with the digital cultures of the runet. the volume coves various issues, from aesthetics, diaspora, cultural identity, communities, and intelligenzia to gender, public sphere, polit technology, propaganda, pornography, and many more. i myself contributed to this volume with the analysis of a new literary trend that i call "mate lit" (or male literature) - a bizarre mixture of brutality, protest and patriarchic mainstream - developed entirely through an online platform and becoming influencial in the offline domains. "Control + Shift. Public and Private Usages of the Russian Internet". Eds. Henrike Schmidt, Katy Teubener, Natalja Konradova. Norderstedt: Books on Demand, 2006. ISBN 3-8334-4988-8 Price: 24,90 EUR. The volume is entirely available for download at: http://www.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/russ-cyb/library/texts/en/control_shift/contro l_shift.htm enjoy your reading, olga ------ End of Forwarded Message

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theory to explain plazes.com?
by Bunz, Ulla 12 Oct '06

12 Oct '06

An undergraduate student in my program is researching plazes.com, a website like myspace and facebook in that it is a social networking site, but in addition it adds a physical location. The technology behind it enables friends to know one's location through a cellphone or internet connection. Thus, issues of privacy (invasion) are huge. The student is looking for a theory that explains or relates to people's willingness to engage in such activities even at the expense of inhibiting personal privacy. In a way we have a third place here that is tied to a physical location again. The student is approaching this topic from a background in rhetorical criticism. Does anyone have suggestions for theories and places to look for them? As-complete-as-possible references would be very much appreciated. Please send to me directly. I will compile and send both to the list and to the student. Thanks, Ulla --- Ulla Bunz Assistant Professor Department of Communication University Center C, Suite 3100 Florida State University Tallahassee, FL 32306 Email: ubunz(a)fsu.edu Phone: 850-644-1809 -----------------------------------------------

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open call netporn seminar
by Marije Janssen 12 Oct '06

12 Oct '06

Open Call for Contributions Internet Pornography Seminar Dates: June 1 & 2 2007 Location: Paradiso, Amsterdam Organized by: Institute of Network Cultures and Paradiso in collaboration with Katrien Jacobs and Matteo Pasquinelli http://www.networkcultures.org/netporn The Institute of Network Cultures and Paradiso would like to invite you to send in your work for the second international seminar and exhibition on internet pornography. This edition will focus on topics as (gender)identity, social and ethnic minority groups, politics and censorship. The seminar will take place in Amsterdam on June 1 & 2 in 2007. We are currently looking for people who are working on this subject and would like to present their work to an international audience. If you are a theorist, artist, researcher, producer or in another way engaged in the field of netporn, we encourage you to send in an abstract of your work. Seminar program The event will take place on Friday June 1st and Saturday June 2nd. On both days there will be opening lectures by keynote speakers. After the keynote lectures, both days will be filled with clusters of presentations and lectures concerning one of the four seminar themes. In the evening of the second day there will be an extensive artistic program with screenings and performances. Exhibition A two-day exhibition will be held at the seminar venue. In this exhibition ten artists get the opportunity to show their views on the subject of pornography, sexuality, technology and the human body. It will include different kinds of media art like installations, net.art and video art. Seminar topics The seminar has four main themes as focus points for the presentations: - The revolution of alt pornography: in what way has alternative and do-it-yourself pornography democratized porn production? What are the reactions of the commercial industry? How does it influence our perception of porn? - Porn niches and trans gender: stereotypical social divisions with groups like hetero, gay, transsexual and transgenders seems to matter less and less. What new revolutionary identities are arising, are old patterns making way for a larger network of sexual possibilities? - Globalization of porn and the influence of ethnic minorities: this session wants to define the way various ethnical groups make use of the possibilities of porn. What are the ways in which they shape their own sexuality, using of new technologies? - Politics of netporn; censorship, new rights and nightmares: Porn is subject of repression (censorship) as well as progression (emancipation, liberalization). Where do we draw the line? What are the newly aqcuired rights that we already got out of this still expanding subject? The first seminar made it possible for people to meet each other and exchange views on a topic that is still controversial. It resulted in a broad overview of developments in the field of netporn. With the second edition there will be a more in-depth look and sharper focus, based on the four themes that are provided. Significant dates: Deadline for submission abstract (250 words) and biography (100 words): 30 november 2006 Submit to: marije(a)networkcultures.org Acceptance notification: 21 december 2006 Further enquiries: marije(a)networkcultures.org Organizers: Institute of Network Cultures Paradiso Katrien Jacobs Matteo Pasquinelli Location: Paradiso - Amsterdam

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AI and psychology
by Todd Papke 12 Oct '06

12 Oct '06

I'm a graduate student at The University of Iowa doing research in social impacts (futuristic) of Artificial Intelligence. I'm looking for writings that look at the psychological and cultural impacts that AI will have. I'm imagining a society where Information Technology is highly ubiquitous- in fact I'm assuming the distinct probability that we will have traversed the man/machine molecular biological boundaries necessary so that we are transparently and homogeneously integrated with our technology by that time. I think that that is a necessary sociological precursor to a true "AI" event that will result in a machine that is capable of desire and (obviously) being capable of passing the infamous "Turning Test". The question that I want to address is the impact upon society from a cultural and psychological perspective that this event will have. It's somewhat post-humanist, but I'm wondering if anyone has looked at this phenomena analogically and metaphorically against modern and postmodern social theory. Any reading suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks Todd Papke

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ICT's Timeline: thanks and answers
by Jeremy Depauw 12 Oct '06

12 Oct '06

Goodmorning everybody, First of all, I did'nt expect so much answsers and interesting suggestions, so thanks a lot ! I will try to answers some remarks: @ Julian Hopkins: I did'nt know the Sinclair ZX80, and it wasn't mention in my main source : http://www.computerhistory.org/timeline/. The only question which remains is : has it been used as tool by journalists and/or information management profesionals ? If yes, so I'll inculde it in my timeline. About databases, I don't consider them as an exclusively IT thing but my initial hypothesis is that they permitted to develop IT tools; Am I wrong ? Thanks also for the reference of Poster. @ Elizabeth Van Couvering: It is absolutely true that original cultural roots have influence on that Timeline building process. In my case, I have a belgian/european background and I am influenced by the field of computer history, which is more "anglo-saxon". In this case, I will have to deal with that two background, which is not an easy thing. I don't think I could consider some other cultural approach. Thanks for pointing this because such question has to be kept in mind, and it wasn't the case since you pointed it out. @ Jonathan Sterne: It is true the choice of that period may seem too limited but actually it refers to the global question of my research. I sustain the thesis (in very short) that profesional Information mediators (i.eJournalists and Information managers in companies) played the role of obliged relay of infrmation until recent years. The emregence of technologies (devices and tools) has permitted to those profesionals' audiences to avoid that relay by consuming, managing and producing information on their own. In order to better understand that phenomenon, I tried, with this timeline, to enlarge the historical scope. But it didn't seem necessary to go beyond 1945 because I wanted to keep some connection between past and current time. But your remark is relevant beacause it points out that the evolution Technologies couldn't be seen in a so limited perspective. @Elijah: Yes it helps, thanks for the reference. @Kevin Guidry: I have to admit that I didn't thought about spreadsheets, great ! Actualli, ERP and CRM are the tools I was thinking about when asking about databases, because I had the idea that they were the basis of that tools. I will now try to develop that aspect of my timeline. I have now new paths to follow, thank to you all ! I am very gratefull of that ! Jeremy -- Jeremy Depauw The Power of Knoweldge Sharing and Skills Synegism Journal de recherche: http://dev.ulb.ac.be/~jdepauw/dotclear/index.php

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ICT's Timeline: thanks and first draft
by Julian Hopkins 12 Oct '06

12 Oct '06

Hello Jeremy, I'm surprised you don't include the Sinclair ZX80 (see e.g. http://www.oldcomputers.net/zx80.html ) in your timeline - I may be mistaken but I think it was the first 'PC' that was cheap enough to go straight into the average household - the ZX81 had more of a mass market and then it was followed by the Spectrum. I remember playing my first computer game on a ZX81, and using them in school too :) On the database question - I would say that yes they have to be considered. However a database is in essence just a list of things - which must have been around ever since the first sapiens tried to tell someone about their favourite gathering spots :) So how and why (or if) they become something exclusively 'IT' I don't know. Mark Poster deals with the significance of databases in a Foucauldian manner: Poster, Mark. The Second Media Age. Cambridge: Polity Press; 1995. Regards, Julian ++++++++++ Julian Hopkins Lecturer HELP University College - ADP Kuala Lumpur tel: +60 3 2095 8791 x2913 email: julianh(a)help.edu.my Message: 13 Date: Wed, 11 Oct 2006 16:52:53 +0200 From: "Jeremy Depauw" <jeremy.depauw(a)gmail.com> Subject: [Air-l] ICT's Timeline: thanks and first draft To: air-l(a)listserv.aoir.org Message-ID: <f837fdd90610110752l3cd745b9y41566e6dc619440e(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed Dear all ! Firstly, I would like to thank readers who have taken some of their time to answer my question about ICT's Timeline. Lots of suggestions were very usefull. Now I would like to present the first draft I made since I manages to catch a first wave of dates and ideas. To view it, feel free to click on that link <http://dev.ulb.ac.be/%7Ejdepauw/telecharger/EN_timeline-TIC.pdf>. I think that my info are still too "computer oriented" but by the way, I am not sure there is so much other fields of innovation for my question. I translated it very quickly and the layout is still to be improved. My new motivation is here to ask for an advice : should I consider the history of "databases" as relevant in my reflection and should I link it to the developpement of on-line ressources ? (which I couldn't take into account yet) -- Jeremy Depauw The Power of Knoweldge Sharing and Skills Synegism Journal de recherche: http://dev.ulb.ac.be/~jdepauw/dotclear/index.php

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Re: [Air-l] timeline
by Jonathan Sterne 11 Oct '06

11 Oct '06

Hi All, I haven't been following the timeline conversation so I don't know the particular motivations behind it, but it seems rather short scale to my mind. For instance, if one wants to understand the history of digital audio, you've got to at least go back to Fourier, who was interested in heat but whose waveform analysis made digital audio possible. And if you want to talk about the relationship between music and number, well now we're back to Aristotle and Aristoxenus. If we're interested in keyboard instruments, the history of typewriters seems important, and if we're interested in the history of databases the census, the postal system and the invention of tabulation machines seems important. Also the 20th century dates seem off to me. 1950s is an important period for the diffusion of television in the US but much of the key policy and technological development happened between the 20s and 40s. One might also look internationally to German deployments of television and so forth. Again, I don't know the motivation behind such a timeline but if it is meant as a guide to media history relevant to people who are interested in digital media today, I would recommend more attention the extant media historical scholarship. Best, --J

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