Poking Machine

The Poking Machine is a wearable device that pokes you physically whenever you are poked on Facebook, no matter where you are.

Online social networks are platforms for communication, enabling us to connect anywhere we go. However, they still lack the mediation of physical communication. Facebook tries to improve this by enabling its users to ‘poke’ each other, which basically only sends another written message to the person you poke, without conveying the original intent of the poking gesture. The Poking machine converts the message into an actual physical poke, extending the reach of this haptic gesture indefinitely. This way users can connect not only virtually but also physically.

The set-up consists of a custom built circuit (ATtiny, servo, battery, and bluetooth module) that connects to an Android phone, letting it keep track of incoming pokes. The circuit is housed in a laser-cut box you can wear on your arm.

Jasper van loenen & Bartholomäus Traubeck

Datenform – Aram Barthol

 

Aram Bartholl’s work creates an interplay between internet, culture and reality. The versatile communication channels are taken for granted these days, but how do they influence us? According to the paradigm change of media research Bartholl not just asks what man is doing with the media, but what media does with man. The tension between public and private, online and offline, technology infatuation and everyday life creates the core of his producing. In public interventions and public installations Bartholl examines which and how parts of the digital world can reach back into reality.

datenform

Found Land

Foundland (Ghalia Elsrakbi, Lauren Alexander and Dirk Vis)  is a young multi-disciplinary art and design practice based in Amsterdam. With backgrounds in graphic design, art and writing Foundland’s approach focuses on research based, critical responses to current issues.

We are a non-profit organization, established in 2009. Since our inception, we have continually focused on critical analysis of topics related to political and place branding and the way recent trends in these fields affect citizens in the Netherlands. Our field of interest is not limited to the Netherlands and we are currently busy with projects exploring similar themes in South Africa and Syria.

We consider the public domain of conventional media such as advertising, printed matter, the internet as well as art spaces as locations for our research and visual output. We like to foster collaboration with institutions and individuals according to current projects.

http://www.foundland.org/

Dear Photograph

take a picture of a picture from the past in the present. Follow @dearphotograph To Submit, click Submit above. Pictures are not guaranteed publication. When you submit your materials.

http://dearphotograph.com/

Arthur C Clarke predicting the future in 1964

Men will not commute, but communicate.

Computers vs Common Sense

Google TechTalks May 30, 2006

Dr. Douglas Lenat is the President and CEO of Cycorp. Since 1984, he and his team have been constructing, experimenting with, and applying a broad real world knowledge base and reasoning engine, collectively “Cyc”. Dr. Lenat was a professor of computer science at Carnegie-Mellon University and at Stanford University. His interest and experience in national security has led him to regularly consult for several U.S. agencies and the White House.

Great Firewall Of China

This short animation talks about how internet is controlled in China, and how people’s privacy is broken. Not surprising when we’re talking about China, but anyway.