Here is a description about a new NYCwireless special interest group on the social impact of wireless technology that I hope to announce at tonight's meeting. I welcome your ideas and involvement.
The purpose of the proposed NYCwireless social impact special interest group is to focus on the unique social changes resulting from the growing adoption of wireless technology in New York. These include changes to social norms, interpersonal networks and the use of public spaces. The group will focus on the social impact of WiFi hot spots (privately-owned and community-based) and park projects in conjunction with the growing proliferation of cell phones. This is especially important due to the potential for future convergence in wireless technology services and devices. It is vital that the social impact of wireless technology be discussed, brainstormed and researched at the earliest stages of the proliferation of these technologies. Such thinking can inform the next generation of technology design, new business ventures and policy planning in this area. It is hoped that such a group would be of interest to an interdisciplinary group of scholars, artists and activists, engineers and architects, and others. The group will meet on a monthly basis for discussion and brainstorming on projects of mutual interest to SIG members and the broader NYCwireless community. Once specific projects are planned, they could be open to participation by a wider group of volunteers. Potential projects include: brainstorming effective ways to mark urban space in order to alert the public to the existence of free WiFi hotspots, using existing NYCwireless data about park projects to better understand social behavior, conducting group data collection and writing memos or papers based on the results. Laura Forlano PhD Student, Communications Columbia University -- NYCwireless - http://www.nycwireless.net/ Un/Subscribe: http://lists.nycwireless.net/mailman/listinfo/nycwireless/ Archives: http://lists.nycwireless.net/pipermail/nycwireless/
