Locative Media & The City

Seemingly, these objects inherently possess some kind of illusory properties that might not be so apparent at first glance. Most people can be caught up in the “WOW” factor. Look at this thing and what it does! This is cutting edge emergent technology that if it isn’t embraced, then de-evolution may occur! Lefebvre says, “Objects hide something very important, and they do so all effectively inasmuch as we cannot do without them; inasmuch, too, as they do give us pleasure, be it illusory or real (and how can illusory and reality be distinguished in the realm of pleasure?) (Lefebvre 81).” These objects are adopted because they fulfill what is believed to be a need. It can be said that these objects speak no truth about themselves. They are designed to create an otherwise unnecessary want. A project by Amos Bloomberg, Daniel Perlin, and Brett Schultz entitled, “Needies” immediately comes to mind. The needies NEED you. In an interview with Forbes.com, Amos Bloomberg says "For our target market, Needies are competing for attention with other plush dolls on the Wal-Mart shelf, they're like iPods--objects of desire. Needies will be priced as what they are-- designer goods for a discriminating market willing to spend on something smart (Hoffman.)" This is an interesting commentary on what appears to be the problem. There is in fact a market for those who wish to spend their money on smart objects of desire. The question still remains if these items are necessarily detrimental to a happy and meaningful existence or not.

If these ideas are enticing to any of you, it could be helpful to look up some reading by Bruce Sterling. He has some interesting things to say about what he coins as "SPIMES." These are object track-able in space and time. His idea is that technology can be used to give value to things that would normally hit the dumpster. If you know all the materials that make up your shoe, and it doesnt cost you anything to know that information, then it can be sold for raw materials to someone else.

I dont know how I feel about all of this. Im very paranoid and the idea of having everything I own track-able kind of gives me a bad feeling. How about you?