Metadata

Part of the motivation for writing has been my slow realization of the impact my work in data has had on my outlook.  Instead of seeing streaming bits of green CRT nonsense floating in front of my face I have become awakened to the ubiquity of data (recorded and potential) indifferently existing in our world.

Among other straw men, I might say there are two extreme reactions to the idea of the digitization of reality.  One position may state that the mining of data from our existence has a corrupting effect on the real-time bio-analog experience.  "Why look for patterns in clouds when we can use machine learning to build then mine Clouds?"  Another viewpoint may be imagined as the enthusiastic defense of the plugged-in lifestyle, where the internet of things includes the tweeting toaster and the social media keggerator.

I have come to view the data revolution as a positive influence, and hope to learn what I can and perhaps play some part in my generation's version of dawn of the transistor era.  I understand the legitimate concerns of the enabling of a sometimes narcissistic or detached attitude, or the privacy/security risks of a data rich world.  Not in spite but because of these concerns I feel it is important to keep an optimistic view of data and electronic enhancements.  While market competition may provide some of the necessity impetus of invention, an over cautious pessimism can stifle the risks necessary to create.  Optimism and the tilting at green-energy windmills are among the most sustainable fuel sources for creative progress in data and electronics.


I hope to use this space to document my efforts in learning and building data driven projects and give back to the online community of digital artists and inventors I have come to love.  I may even build a tweeting trash can...