The New Ecology of Things

The New Ecology of Things is a research initiative to explore emerging forms of interactive communication brought about by pervasive networks, low cost sensors, and computational capabilities in every object and space. The project began as a studio class hosted by Graduate Media Design, and has evolved into a conceptual model, a forum for discussion, and ongoing series of projects and courses, technological inventions, new issues for pedagogy, and a publication.

As part of the effort, several of us collaborated in creating a transmedia publication that includes a book, website, poster and mobile phone content that address the design and educational issues related to ubiquitous computing. The publication is an ecology of essays, and a glossary, forum, interactive works, video, and a short story by Bruce Sterling.

I was a lead co-author, contributing two essays including the key Models section of the website and book that lays out the conceptual foundation for The New Ecology of Things. I also designed and developed the /words/ interactive feature, worked with Anne Burdick on the design and implementation of the whole newecologyofthings.net website, and implemented the mobile parts of the project.

The book is available here: The New Ecology of Things (NET).