In an attempt to become the absolute citizen, Martin John Callanan will
continually and openly publish his physical location live.
I am contactable, and I am findable, in the digital world. It is easy to
find me, write to me, work with me, and speak to me. However, people have
trouble meeting the physical me, in the physical world. I have become so
findable and so contactable: I hide. Perhaps not purposely, more though the
perception I do not need to be physically present, because I feel present
already. By becoming findable - to anyone, anywhere - in the physical world, I can
participate fully and with anyone: I become the absolute citizen. I become a citizen of both the physical and digital worlds, coexisting as
one (the same device that makes me visible and findable, allows continuous
instant connection (communication - via any digital means); I cannot hide
(and I become vulnerable).
“At the seashore, between the land of atoms and the sea of bits, we are now facing the challenge of reconciling our dual citizenship in the physical and digital worlds.” Hiroshi Ishii, MIT Media Lab
This is a world where people live online – working and communicating; inhabiting online spaces – in a state of continuous connectivity, everything is done via the Internet.
We are now at the dawning of the age of ubiquitous computing. When computers are starting, no longer, to be the box on the desk or the slab warming our legs. The computer as an artefact will disappear. As they become embedded and ambient, our interaction with will become more invisible; more human. We will become more human. (We are not there yet). But as yet, the people who will be most affected by it, the overwhelming majority of whom are non-technical, non-specialist, ordinary citizens of the developed world, barely know it even exists (is even possible).
A mobile phone can be switched off or left [forgotten] at home. A computer can be shut down, unplugged, and walked away from. Yet, this coming ambient, ubiquitous technology will be capable of insinuating itself into all the apertures everyday life affords it. An environment will be formed in a way that current technology cannot possibly ever create.
I am contactable, and I am findable, in the digital world. It is easy to find me, write to me, work with me, and speak to me. However, people have trouble meeting the physical me, in the physical world. I have become so findable and so contactable: I hide. Perhaps not purposely, more though the perception I do not need to be physically present, because I feel present already.
This is a world where people live online – working and communicating; inhabiting online spaces – in a state of continuous connectivity, everything is done via the Internet.
We are now at the dawning of the age of ubiquitous computing. When computers are starting, no longer, to be the box on the desk or the slab warming our legs. The computer as an artefact will disappear. As they become embedded and ambient, our interaction with will become more invisible; more human. We will become more human. (We are not there yet). But as yet, the people who will be most affected by it, the overwhelming majority of whom are non-technical, non-specialist, ordinary citizens of the developed world, barely know it even exists (is even possible).
A mobile phone can be switched off or left [forgotten] at home. A computer can be shut down, unplugged, and walked away from. Yet, this coming ambient, ubiquitous technology will be capable of insinuating itself into all the apertures everyday life affords it. An environment will be formed in a way that current technology cannot possibly ever create.
I am contactable, and I am findable, in the digital world. It is easy to find me, write to me, work with me, and speak to me. However, people have trouble meeting the physical me, in the physical world. I have become so findable and so contactable: I hide. Perhaps not purposely, more though the perception I do not need to be physically present, because I feel present already.
Addressing the imbalance
I will use an off-the-shelf smartphone, on a standard service plan with a major telecoms service provider. Combined (via a custom server application) with an open-source geo-mapping application; I will publish constantly, live, my exact physical geographical location to a distance of within three meters (talking distance). I am presenting myself with the option of trading away access to the most intimate details of my movements in return for increased convenience.
By becoming findable – to anyone, anywhere – in the physical world, I can participate fully and with anyone: I become the absolute citizen.
I become a citizen of both the physical and digital worlds, coexisting as one (the same device that makes me visible and findable, allows continuous instant connection – communication – via any digital means); I cannot hide (and I become vulnerable).
I will use an off-the-shelf smartphone, on a standard service plan with a major telecoms service provider. Combined (via a custom server application) with an open-source geo-mapping application; I will publish constantly, live, my exact physical geographical location to a distance of within three meters (talking distance). I am presenting myself with the option of trading away access to the most intimate details of my movements in return for increased convenience.
By becoming findable – to anyone, anywhere – in the physical world, I can participate fully and with anyone: I become the absolute citizen.
I become a citizen of both the physical and digital worlds, coexisting as one (the same device that makes me visible and findable, allows continuous instant connection – communication – via any digital means); I cannot hide (and I become vulnerable).
Video Documentation from December 2007
Commissioned by Riga Centre for New Media Culture RIXC, Latvia
Funded by the European Commission Culture 2000 Fund via At Home in Europe with support from ISIS, InterSpace, Bek, and Arts Council England
Additional support from SCEMFA
Funded by the European Commission Culture 2000 Fund via At Home in Europe with support from ISIS, InterSpace, Bek, and Arts Council England
Additional support from SCEMFA