Who Runs the World?

During my freshman year of college, a friend told me,

“The more people you know, the more power you have”. 

While at the time the statement only made me view this individual as an egotistical social climber, I do admit that I now strongly believe in this theory’s application into various aspects of life. Whether applied from one’s social life to their career advancement, there is enormous strength in the power of networks.

Using these networks for “power” or opportunities or expanded learning is completely up to the individual. However, we must learn to recognize the amplitude of networks ranging from those around us to those on a much larger scale.

TheyRule.net emphasizes this idea through mapping the interconnectivity and relationships of board members for the top 1000 companies. The user is able to navigate and expand hundreds of interlocking directories to observe research on individual board members, shared directors between boards, and multi-positioned board members.

The key features are simple:

·      Sort and search by a list of:

o   people

o   companies

o   or institutions

·      Note the fatter icons symbolize his or her presence on more than one board

·      Use “Find Connections” to generate relationships between two chosen companies

·      Try “Auto” mode to allow the map to expand and search on its own

·      Save, print, or send your map to colleagues or to use for personal research

Originally created to explore idea of “who owns who” within the most powerful companies, the creator,Josh On, quickly discovered the complexity behind these companies. This interactive project is not only aesthetically engaging, but it also organizes large amounts of data that act as both an input and output as the user begins to deconstruct and analyze it. The more one expands, the more they will realize how interconnected these individuals really are and how much power they hold. The piece questions the structure of our society and fairness behind positions of high power, responsibility, and supposed representation.

Bringing this concept into a marketing realm, these same algorithms can be applied to social media research by developing “friend of friend” connections. Market researchers can optimize this mapping strategy to narrow in on networks of influencers and their friends within social platforms. The power of networks has always existed, but technology that allows an easier access to connectivity has really strengthened our dependence on relationships. 

While this specific project maps company board members, TheyRule.net illustrates a sufficient way to visualize the great mass of information created by the complexity and breadth of networks. While individuals on their own may hold a lot of power, their relationships add to their network, their knowledge, and their value.

So yes, the more people you know, the more power you have.

#NoFilter: The Future

Google Chipotle right now.

Whether you’re on your computer or smart phone, chances are that your search results provided an extensive amount of information.

Nearest locations. Hours for that location. Yelp reviews. Popular times. Latest articles published in the past few hours. Related searches.

All this information has been tailored just for you! No one else! All your wants and needs answered immediately! How sweet! Well...is it? Creepy at all? A little too personalized for you?

Is this the future?

Technological trends are moving towards more and more customization, and every day objects are being developed with greater tools and features for personalization. Even objects measuring our steps and heart rate are becoming more complex to relay detailed individual information.

However, this isn’t the future. This is the now.  Hans Ulrich Obrist, renowned art curator and author, refers to our current situation as the “extreme present”. He asserts that we exist in a society advancing and operating at such a rapid pace, we are barely able to maintain its present speed and let alone map the future.

Obrist co-developed the 89plus project. His group researches and explores the generation that has grown up with the Internet, making up the majority of the world’s current population. The group specifically focuses on curating the responses from individuals in diverse professions ranging from writers and architects to technologists and mathematicians. Posing a completion of the phrase “The future will hold...”, the curators interpreted 3 years of research from over 40 participants.

Through analyzing the creative practices of the digital generation, the project studies the public dialogue around technology, its influence, and its consequences. After collecting all the responses, the members of 89plus narrowed in on phenomenon of the “filter bubble”. This concept illustrates the algorithm used to suggest personalized and relevant content to the user based on previous data collected. Companies are implementing and investing millions into market research to optimize the masses of data collected from consumers. Utilizing information from search history, location, and personal information, we can now target more specific individual behaviors and implement this data into our technology. 

Installation view of “Filter Bubble,” an 89plus exhibition co-curated by Simon Castets and Hans Ulrich Obrist, at LUMA Westbau, Zürich, until February 14th, 2016. Photo by Stefan Altenburger.

This fairly recent focus in personalization research aims to direct the user to preferred content and deter them from contradictory information. However, while this aspect of technology is useful and even expected in our society, there may be some ramifications. The 89plus project asserts that this “filter bubble” opposes the open and limitless nature of the Internet.  Believing the digital landscape is “tarnished by progressive personalization”, the group parallels the Internet as transitioning from to a once opened window for knowledge to a mirror only reflecting one’s own interests. By remaining in this restricted system of knowledge, we cannot move beyond our “personal ecosystem”.

But not all is doomed!

A lot of the research from the 89plus project finds a commonality of young professionals aiming to change our relationship with open knowledge through interaction and collaboration. They emphasize the need for a greater sharing of information and change of approach towards searching and inquiring. They are challenging the Internet. They are challenging our behaviors.  They are challenging the expected future. 

Installation view of “Filter Bubble,” an 89plus exhibition co-­curated by Simon Castets and Hans Ulrich Obrist, at LUMA Westbau, Zürich, until February 14th,  2016. Photo by Stefan Altenburger. Pictured: Hito Steyerl, Liquidity Inc., 2014; James Bridle, Citizen Ex Flags 003 ­ 007, 2015; Ho Rui An, Screen Green, 2015. 

An Overdue Look

There is a high percent chance that you are currently standing on a gravesite right now. Maybe a historical landmark. A piece of the past right below your feet. Now more than ever, we are able to research the historical background of major cities, favorite vacation spots, and even hometowns. What if there was a way we could instantly display hundreds of historical photos taken in the exact spot you were standing in? And what if we could do this for all the steps around you? For all the blocks nearby? For the entire city in which you live?

OldNYC.org brings this exact concept to life. It maps historical photos in New York City from 1870 to 1970 using Google Maps. Tagging each location with a red dot, the site displays the accompanying pictures taken at each location over time for almost every block of the city. Creating a sea of red, the hundreds of dots engulf the city with history as one continues to zoom out of the map. And here’s the biggest curveball...this project was created in less than a month! This project didn’t take years of cultivation. It didn’t take years of restoration. All it took was an idea and an opportunity.

After releasing over 180,000 public domain images in high resolution, the New York Public Library Labs invited artists, scholars, programmers and who ever was willing to participate in Remix Residences. They not only encouraged people to engage with material ranging from medieval manuscripts to early 20th century baseball cards, but they challenged participants to create new experiences with the artifacts. Calling for mappings, visualizations, generative art, games, bots, and interactives, the NYPL Labs are pushing for a new use of their digital library. Explained as “an extension of what the library has always done”, the project pushes creatives to tell a new story. They are asking to transform the stagnant to the dynamic.

Access to all this material alone would be an incredible step forward. Their easy to navigate database allows viewers to conveniently and efficiently hover and scroll though hundreds of thousands of images. However, as NYPL Labs puts it, “digitalization is just the start”. The greater emphasis should be placed on user-friendly access that lifts tight copyright restrictions. Today, we are constantly seeing the over protection of intellectual property and personal works. With technological developments and interconnectivity of the digital sphere, the ability to plagiarize has become easier and instilled a heavy belief that we must protect and hoard everything. NYPL Labs presents an opposite approach. They are breaking down their barriers and welcoming everyone to interact with all they have to offer.

Visualization of new digital collection by NYPL Labs

Recognizing the ways we approach creativity in new mediums and libraries as a resource have changed, the New York Public Library has taken action to revamp its presence in this digital age. They concocted a creative and sustainable way to engage everyone and keep the conversation going.

OldNYC.org was one of many submissions to project. Check out another piece below that allows users to explore 20th century floor plans for luxurious apartments. Keep an eye out for NYPL Labs to announce a winner in early March 2016!