The Next Layer - networks

Reading the Digital City: New political technologies in the Network Society (revised version)

Clemens Apprich — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 16:17:45 +0000

This article examines the 'digital city' debate of the mid 1990s as a point of departure for a media-historical questioning of how technology and the discourse about technology were used as an experimental playground for new forms of knowledge that are fundamental for the understanding of today’s network society. This text has been presented as a conference paper at the 'networks and sustainability' track of the 'textiles' conference in Riga in June 2010. The paper will also appear in a special edition of the Arts and Communications Journal edited by RIXC at the end of 2010.

The messy Hydra: developments in transglobal Peer-to-Peer culture

doll_yoko — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 01:40:42 +0000

Once a minor practice in places of privilege in the global North, internet-enabled file-sharing via peer-to-peer (P2P) systems has evolved into a vast, transglobal activity. Engaging millions of participants, P2P is decentralised, deeply networked, grass roots-driven, polycultural phenomenon growing exponentially. It appears uncontainable, as each wave of technological, legal and commercial measures designed to halt or divert it fail. Moreover, pressure exerted 'from above' by governments and multinational industry alliances becomes a productive force within geographically dispersed, globalised P2P networks and communities. Technical and social innovations are generated 'from below' in order to protect and expand “cultures of sharing,” or “piracy.” Paradoxically, these innovations become mainstreamed as they force corporations to adopt new business models in response to 'market' desires.

Call for Papers: 6th European Meeting of the Society for Literature, Science, and the Arts

admin — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 07:39:43 +0000

Riga based initiative e-text+textiles is pleased to announce that the 6th European Meeting of the Society for Literature, Science, and the Arts will take place in Riga in June 2010. Deadline for abstract submissions: 16 August 2009, slsa.2010@gmail.com

Interviewing The Crisis - Art Is Open Source interviews Marc Garrett.

marc garrett — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 16:16:43 +0000

Marc Garrett from Furtherfield.org interviewed by Art Is Open Source.

http://www.interviewingthecrisis.org/?p=27