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'Global Identity'



Although I was hoping to have moved on I can't really seem to let go of Manuel Castells triology on the Information Age. Especially the subject of identity and when put into context regarding webculture, globalization and societies at large it becomes really interesting. The power over identity is no longer as fixed or concentrated in institutions, organizations or symbolic controllers as it once was. It is much more diffused and decentralized nowadays as technology provides the possibility to exchange cultural codes/information and interact without interference from a centralized agency. The role of the State, corporate media, capitalist firms and religious institutions that make up the old means of power over cultural codes are in an interconnected global society (like the Web) no longer as influential in structuring communal behaviour. Politics, traditional media and religion are not necessarily on the decline, quite the contrary but their roles are definitely being restructured. For all lot of people this is probably somewhat uncomforting (more individual participatory responsibility) but also very liberating. There is great disruption on all levels of society (especially Western) and Castells is brilliant in commenting on these shifts. His insight and research provides great perspective on these matters. But really, after I'm done with this I'm going to read only comic books for the rest of the summer.
2008-may-28 @ 12:02 pm Permalink
Tags: identity , sociology, manuel castells, books


'Emergence'




2007-jun-01 @ 1:34:28 pm Permalink
Tags: books, street culture, media convergence, sociology, mp3


'Tribalism'


Two books I was supposed to have read a long time ago but never quite found the time to finish until recently. 'Casuals' is thuggery at its finest moment telling the history behind the scene of terrace fashion. 300 pages following the different historical routes of designerbrand obsessiveness amongst workingclass British youths (and adults) through the 70's, 80's and present time. I was actually quite surprised with how well written this book was but I rightfully had my doubts after reading poorly written works like 'Soul Crew' which strictly concentrate on the cult of violence amongst the followers of casual dressing.

'The Way We Wore' by former Face contributor Robert Elms was a real delight to read. Many might argue that Robert Elms has a maybe not so sane relationship to clothes but thinking about it for a second really; those people are probably the very same ones who 'chose' to follow any trends that the industry happen to dictate that very season. Those are also quite possibly the very same (predominately middleclass) who don't seem to realise that there are choices to be made during ones lifetime and that choosing for yourself what to wear and how to express your individual taste instead of being dictated what to wear by the likes of Gap, H&M or any other masscultural outlet is not an option but a responsibility, especially in these days and times when multinational corporations are intruding every aspect of human existance. Ofcourse, every person have a desire of belonging to a social tribe and thereby also need to accept the social rules, conducts and opinions of that particular community. In many aspects by choosing what to wear we signal to our surroundings what tribe we belong to. But the point, which Robert Elms also describes, is that the masscultural market could be accused of being a replicated formless tribe whose members have been robbed of their desire to make any kind of individual or collective stand since the culture in itself follows no other path than that of capitalistic means and extreme profit. Whether we chose to recognize it or not but with the fall of traditional political ideology what we wear and consume could soon become one of the last outposts of moral representation.

2006-sep-03 @ 3:08:16 pm Permalink
Tags: sociology, books, tribalism


'Eye Of The Beholder 2.0'


**Note: This post might be just one big blur to some and I know, it's not very well constructed and thought out. It's actually two or three ideas picking my brain all at once. Generally I try to stay away from blurting out random 'mindwalks' like this, but it felt like I should post some stuff while it's still in betamode instead of holding it back until I know exactly how I want to say it (which I never do anyway.) Consider this like one of all those 2.0 webapplications that look like shit at first but turn out rather useful with time. I'm suspecting that I'll be developing more loopy ideas around this subject in future postings.


When I snapped this photo above it got me thinking about something that seemed more profound than the actual installation in the picture itself and how that thought crucially could connect to the present development of the web (2.0) and advancements in human interaction. First, to clarify things I regard this as a piece of art, and what makes me as an observer experience it as art is not so much decided by, a to me complete unknown person placing a pile of plastic skulls in a hammock as it might be how I, the beholder choose to actively perceive and experience these objects. Through a number of fixed variables (conceptual presentation, composition, context, location etc..) and a personal definition of what art should be I am stimulated to a mindset helping me to make meaning and sense of such a 'non-sensical' object. Much art in essence is non-sensical and that's the real beauty of it - that it liberates the mind of the observer to think in abstract terms and create a highly individualized experience. What is presented to my visual senses is therefore not as interesting as what my intellect and imagination shape it to be. Some branding is very good at stimulating this mindset too, but my point is that we can choose to use the same mindset as when observing art (complete openmindedness) when also observing and intellectually interacting with any object. (and I guess this is how a child's mind work or our minds in general when exposed to unfamiliar situations and experiences).

Blah, blah, blah...

Anyhow, it's interesting to further implement this thought and the liberty of an open non-fixed mindset when discussing something like the internet and the current development of many other communicational platforms (cell phones, mobile devices). Worldleading techcompanies like Nokia, Google and Apple are all creating devices and services that users and consumers in the future are supposed to utilize and personalize any which way they please. Just as with art the experience when using these devices will be highly individual. If, or rather when this area is further developed it will open up a whole new spectra of possibilites in human behaviour. In more ways than one the technology itself is not even half as interesting as how users/consumers/people will utilize these devices and the almost infinite possibilities for self-expression and social interaction. Several product UIs (user interfaces) and implemented services are already stimulating creative and abstract thought to a wide range of consumers - as when geotagging a photograph or making videorecordings with a cellphone. Now millions but soon billions of people will have the oppourtunity to be exposed to the same experience as when observing a piece of art - only now these beholders will furthermore also be able to re-produce and distribute this highly individual experience. This is quite mindblowing as people on a global scale will be enabled to spread their 'non-sensical' observations just the same way as an artist do when exposing his audience to a pile of skulls in a hammock. In fact such an artistic expression is child's play compared to the kind of creative mindhavoc that humanity both individually and collectively will create in the near future. That's the thrill of all this - we will all be like children again; and the cell phone will become the new paintbrush.

Slightly related:
Most recent iPhone ads: 1 / 2 / 3
2008-apr-23 @ 10:05 pm Permalink
Tags: mobility, massinnovation, art, sociology, iphone


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