Interangible

Tangible Celebrity

March 24th, 2008

In a world of ubiquitous computing, where very object is networked, where is the line of privacy drawn?

There is no clear answer, which has many concerned about wide-spread violations of individual rights. This is an interesting discussion that many are having. However, what I find more interesting, and less discussed, is how the concept of celebrity will function in this same world?

Have you ever carved your initials into a tree? Smudged them in wet concrete? Tagged them on a city wall? Have you ever stuck a push-pin into each state you’ve visited on the map? Ever signed a guestbook? Ever googled yourself?

People are obsessed with seeing the extent of their influence. Becoming more exposed isn’t necessarily such a bad thing. What about those whose livelihood is directly correlated to their exposure. What about celebrities?

What happens when celebrity can be quantified? What happens when it can be bought, sold, traded?

Does everyone become a celebrity?

Think of memorabilia. I think there are a lot of opportunities here…

Entry Filed under: Blogjects, M4, Process Objects, Spimes