unknown armature: body socks
I’ve been researching and testing some body sock prototypes, as part of a series of prosthetic research initiatives I’ve been calling Unknown Armature. I’ve mentioned body socks before; they’re wearable Continue reading
sensory substitution
I collaborated with the Philosophical Psychology Lab at Gordon College, working with philosopher Brian Glenney on experiments with the vOICe, also known as the Seeing With Sound device. The tool Continue reading
a passing futurism
I’ve excerpted from Edgerton’s book once already, but there are so many bracing claims that it’s worth another paragraph or two: “Calling for innovation is, paradoxically, a common way of Continue reading
horizontal identities
“Because of the transmission of identity from one generation to the next, most children share at least some traits with their parents. These are vertical identities.” [...] “Often, however, someone Continue reading
minimum force, corporeal anticipation
From this NYT review of Richard Sennett’s The Craftsman, which has been on my desk forever, only now making its way to my head: “For it is Sennett’s contention that Continue reading
Tour masters, schedules, reservations
“When I was very young and the urge to be someplace else was on me, I was assured by mature people that maturity would cure this itch. When years described Continue reading
the blinking beginner
Perhaps “intellectual” is too effete a word for US readers anymore—perhaps artist as well. But a cultural producer, a public amateur, a generalist? These are all synonyms for what is Continue reading
tools for conviviality
Last year, Suzanne Fischer pointed to Ivan Illich’s Tools for Conviviality as a worthy guiding set of principles for critical making: With Tools for Conviviality (1973), Illich extended his analysis of education to Continue reading
repetition, tardiness, and collaboration
Last Saturday I sat down to work with some friends and colleagues on an upcoming public art competition proposal. The budget for the work is ample enough to warrant an Continue reading
“Aggression in…
“Aggression in autism spectrum disorders is almost never directed to people outside the family or immediate caregivers, is almost never planned, and almost never involves weapons,’’ said Dr. Catherine Lord, Continue reading
shock of the old: a history of “things”
David Edgerton’s The Shock of the Old: Technology and Global History Since 1900 is the best kind of corrective for the innovation-crazed futurology that dominates talk about technology and design Continue reading
two ways to make a duck
The Atlantic Cities channel interviews Chris Anderson about his decision to leave Wired to start his own DIY drone business: Some people hear the word “maker” and imagine we are Continue reading
