Are we zombies?

A recent project argues that new media use in public spaces and in particular laptops in cafes was turning us all into zombies. They argued for a technological response that built community. The recent MP3 Improveverywhere event in New York City's Central Park provides another illustration of how new media isn't *necessarily* all about isolating and fragmenting people.

Two girls share an iPod

A few weeks ago I was interviewed by a reporter who was following up on a story about how music players, and in particular the every popular iPod, were turning people into uncaring, inattentive and inwardly focused non-participants in society. I conceded that this can, and does, happen to some extent but that it is important to see other uses of the technology. We should remember that there is almost no stopping the human proclivity for sociality. We will turn almost anything into a conversation or group activity, given the opportunity. Even an iPod, for example, can be shared by two friends, with each sharing an ear bud.

Today, while browsing some of the new videos that iTunes has downloaded for me over the last few days (an amazing service, if you haven't already tried it - see my earlier posting on iTunes and Video), I came across this event. And a photo of two girls sharing an iPod reminded me of my earlier conversation.

What is described there is an art / public spectacle event in which hundreds of people downloaded an MP3 file, showed up in a park at the same time, and based on a timed signal to start their players at the same time, all participated in a group improv event. You can view the video from the event here: http://www.improveverywhere.com/mp3ex2.mov It is a remarkable, and very moving, example of the use of technology to (re)create a social event in a place where none previously existed.

You can feel the connections people felt even in such a short event, in this quote from one of the key participants, "the Bumblebee:"

I also loved how people were so loyal to their groups, even after the event had ended. I talked to a bunch of people afterwards, and in each conversation the person would inevitably say something like, “It was great, so much fun. (beat) Oh! I was an Astronaut, but my girlfriend was – can you believe this? – a DOLPHIN!”

For more on the "Laptop Zombies," visit the PlaceSite web site.