Response 5

2/21 Response to Poetics of Augmented Space

Questions:

1. Does augmented space really provide us with the plethora of information intended for it to provide or is it so dynamically and frequently changing that we overlook much of what is being presented?
2. What are examples of augmented spaces that we have become so accustomed to that we fail to view them as such?
3. In what ways does augmenting a space detract from that space’s original intent? Is it possible that augmenting spaces shifts our attention from the original purpose that space was created to serve?

Response to Question 1:

Augmenting a space or adding layers of changing information over the physically existing space can become ineffective and counterproductive to the purpose it was created to serve. While the information in such spaces may be dynamic and often changing, the information may never reach the people it was intended to reach. As Perec repeatedly indicated, we tend to neglect or ignore objects or pieces of space that we pass often or “see” often. We know such things exist, yet we fail to really examine them and note any changes. Based on Perec’s ideas about our tendency to take spaces and objects for granted, it is improbable that these multiple and dynamic layers of information will be constantly recognized and mentally stored by frequent visitors.

Take, for example, billboards along the highway. Throughout the 30 minute drive the average individual travels along the highway to go to work, she may encounter more than 10 billboards lining the path. During the first few trips, she may notice and read each sign. However, after driving the same route day after day, the billboards become familiar. While the advertisements may be changed monthly, she more than likely will not recognize or retain the new information presented in each new ad. The augmented space becomes does not retain its informational value.

Another example is pop-up ads on the internet. While each ad may augment the computer face differently and present the user with a broader range of information, most computer users fail to read the ads, closing them instead. The functionality of the augmented space is reduced.

While augmented space is informative and innovative in many ways, there are also drawbacks to using the same familiar spaces to support dynamically changing information. We become accustomed to the space, taking it for granted, and consequently fail to receive the new informational layers laid upon it.

comments:

comments on response #5 --amiller, Tue, 21 Feb 2006 14:59:50 -0500 reply
Your comment is very insightful. I liked how you referenced Perec and related the use of augmented space to advertising. I am an advertising major and we are taught to constantly find new ways to get messages across to people- for example, recent advertising for a new roller coaster called "Everest" just included people scaling up and down the wall of a building painted in the ad (it made news coverage so something worked). But with the amount of information out there it is getting harder and harder to make some information stand out.

... --rreed200, Tue, 21 Feb 2006 15:03:18 -0500 reply
I think you definitely captured Manovich's ideas in that we take for granted the information that is constantly being shoved in our face, in one way or anything. Sometimes it is not until things are gone that we realize their presence or the information that it once contained. The billboard example is great. I live a little over 100 miles from here and anytime I head home, I see the same signs and never really pay any attention to them, as they have either remained the same or have changed just the slightest bit in the 4 years that I have been traveling from WVU to home. Also, the pop up ads is a great example too. I, personally, am guilty of never reading those stupid pop ups. I get so irritated that it interrupted whatever I was doing and instantly lose patience with it! You captured Manovich's sense of augmenting space and also taking things for granted very well.

Augmented Space from an Advertising Perspective --jgriffi9, Tue, 21 Feb 2006 15:04:04 -0500 reply
Lindsay, I like how you focused your response on advertising. It's true that when ads are changed too often, we don't realize them. Good example with the billboards of non-digitized augmented space.

in class responding --ahamilt4, Tue, 21 Feb 2006 15:04:43 -0500 reply
You are very right that the information may not reach the intended audience. This is every advertisers and marketers dilema and one they struggle with everyday. I think these boards of chaging info are one of their many solutions to this problem, but like you said, it still doesn't solve it.