So, the point was to be able to have a medium that would record all the connections and all the structures and all the thoughts that paper could not. Since the computer could hold any structure in any form, this was the way to go.
Ted Nelson
How do our screens reveal who we are? When do we use our computer as a stage, screening parts of ourselves? When do we treat the computer as a performance, a re-staging and re-presentation of ourselves for different audiences?
In this exercise, we'll begin by using the existing tools and software that our desktop contains to tell a story about ourselves, through the way we surf. We'll pay attention to what our interfaces reveal about us — either implicitly or not...
Prompt
Instead of a traditional introduction, you'll use your computer screen as a canvas to introduce yourself to the class. Think of your desktop as the source of yourself: how you might examine your files or use your tools that you use everyday to create a presentation of the self.
Timeline
( 20 minutes ) Preparation time to arrange your desktop
( 1-3 minutes ) Presentation time to share yourself through your screen
Requirements
In your 'introduction', please include:
Your name
Your pronouns
Where you're based/located
Something important to you (could be interests, work, research, favorite media, etc.)
Your introduction should convey, either directly or indirectly, how you use technology to 'perform' and 'express yourself'.
We hope you might surprise yourself and each other by the different ways you store, move, and process information on your screen...
Inspiration
Getting started
Open simple software (like Notes, Paint, TextEdit, etc.) that you might already be familiar with.
Create a new folder if you'd like to organize content specifically for this (and put folders into subfolders).
Consider your desktop background – will you change it for this exercise, or clean it up?
Content to use
Type live in front of us
Curate a folder of photos or text already on your computer
Click through a website (not just your personal site or social media profile) and find yourself through the links
Use multiple windows of content (don't close it as you open content)
