may 15, 2002

*context weblog <http://straddle3.net/context/> publish fourth issue of context series. The weblogs are presented here as a next step in an emergent and self-organised flow of information, characteristic of our post-web world.

On September 11, weblogs goes mainstream and becomes part of the media evolution [>see *ground zero 911 keys] . This fact is acknowledged today even by major media. The following quotation is an example. "Since the terrorist attacks and U.S. retaliation in Afghanistan, blogs nationwide have taken on unprecedented visibility and, in some cases, new identities as a source of alternative news or 'personal journalism.' During the recent news events, when traditional media sites crashed or lacked timely updates, online readers jumped to fast-loading blogs... A blogger spins news into a context that regular readers come to trust, with a worldview that is likely to parallel theirs and dig up web links that would resonate with followers of similar sensibility... Blog e-mail is posted instantly, an instant community sounding... before Sept. 11, blogs had begun to emerge as a distinct net subculture."
>from 'Personal web logs put a face on a faraway disaster'
by Renee Tawa, Los Angeles Times. October 14, 2001

Apart of this distinctive journalistic feature, the publishing phenomena of weblogs extends beyond, and are related with collective programming movement (free/open source) and the new model for scientific production, publishing and access. The writeable web, announced by the next semantic web, adquire a concret meaning with weblogs. In this new flow of information, blogs are actively acting like neurons with multiplying synapses in the planetary brain.

>see may issue of *context series :

collaboratory

> about context series

the world emerge as a new territory constantly reconfiguring itself. A discovery journey is needed. At context weblog we do this journey by processing the flow of information --sampling, mapping and experiencing the new territory, the emerging digital culture. Almost daily we take and publish "samples" in a blog (or weblog) and monthly we take a look to new cartographies, to the digital mapmaking of reality.

The map isn't the territory, as the model isn't reality. The map is a referential structure; inside a coordinate system all can be referenced laying the gridwork for reality. We choose the coordinate system of internet references for our "mapping" activities. The *context series <http://straddle3.net/context/index.html#series> section of context weblog have this mapping function. By spring 2003, we will pack the 2002 context series as a physical exhibition with their book-catalogue offering a wide mapping on emerging culture.

The first series was devoted to 'Information Arts. Intersections of Art, Science and Technology' book by Stephen Wilson, a key contribution to the mapping of art in our contemporary context, focusing on the revolutionary work of artists and theorists who challenge the separations of art and science initiated in the Renaissance. The second issue of context series was devoted to "Aesthetic Computing" that refers to the search for a new development of representation and notation, the exploration on the use of artistic methods and processes within common representations found in computing. The third issue of context series was devoted to 'Science Commons,' that referenced some significant developments related with the free flow of knowledge in the shared on-line environment and the need to kept information free.

> about context weblog

an online publication of the *context project <http://straddle3.net/context/>, which aims to appropriate and disseminate the emerging culture as a new 'art de vivre' the planetary civilization that technology is creating. The 'zero ground' current situation highlights the need of this kind of public observatory, this research and development project, this innovative publishing model that contribute to be ready for the coming context, for the next cycle; "the tech revolution is about to get rebooted."

> send your comments to context@straddle3.net