This document discusses how technology and wireless internet use is influencing social interaction in urban public spaces. It explores how ubiquitous computing and wireless connectivity are shaping human behavior. Some key points discussed include how the majority of Wi-Fi users connect to communicate with others not physically present, how this can lead to less exposure to diverse opinions, and how certain art projects have tried to use technology to force communication between strangers in public. The document proposes exploring further the social and cultural implications of ubiquitous computing on cities and ways that urban computing could be leveraged to promote communication through sharing personal and public data.

1. BASAK HAZNEDAROGLU
THESIS PROTOTYPES
CYNTHIA LAWSON
09.30.2010

2. technology
urban space people
urban space
technology
social interaction

3. creating a second skin

4. natural
elements
trees, squirrels laptops
mobile phone
E readers
iPads
people
objects interaction map staring
books,bench talking

5. data
as a content or conversation?
data data

8. Not after this!
How can I turn this data into conversation?

9. SOCIAL LIFE OF WIRELESS URBAN SPACE
How technology influencing privatism and
participation at the same time?
Impacts of wireless Internet use on urban
public spaces?

10. Explore the technology and wifi and how it is related
to social interaction and how it influences the way we
use public space
Explore how it is shaping human behavior in urban
space

11. Majority of wi-fi users used their wireless Internet
connection to communicate with social ties that were
not physically present (66%)
Decline in exposure to diversity of opinion or issues
tend to be culturally and ideologically homogeneous

12. Put the individual into thick of things!

13. Yellow chair project by Anab Jain
Inviting strangers from street to use her computer and its wireless open access not only as an
access to the internet but
to read or to listen to her "Today's Offer" in the "shared
folder"
a 'real world blog space'
a territory for conversation between neighbours

14. eye contact experiment
forcing people to stare and communicate

15. what’s mine is yours experiment
Results were mostly revolved around
SEXUALITY!

16. follower/fan/stalker tags experiment
carry the familiar networks into
unfamiliar zones and
create a conversation

17. porte parole by Krzysztof Wodiczko
forcing communication through immigrants’ narratives

18. NEXT STEPS
What are the social and cultural implications of ubiquitous computing for
urban environment?
What opportunities lie to use urban computing as a way of communication?
Exploring ways to force communication through personal and public data
Proposing the idea of socialization through urban spaces and focusing on
miscommunications maybe?
Forcing the individual to get out of the familiar networks to bring more
diversity