Information Ecology

Nardi, B.A. and O’Day, V.L (1999) Information Ecologies: Using Technology with Heart, Cambridge, MA, The MIT Press

For this week’s study we looked at Nardi and Day’s (1999) ‘ecology theory’. We were meant to read 3 chapters, although I confess to reading all of it as it really interested me and I wanted to get a full understanding of what they were saying.  I am glad I did as the case studies helped in putting some context to some of the themes they suggest. Here are my notes.

At the time of writing they believed that people distanced themselves from critical evaluation of technology, falling into one of two camps: technophilia, an uncritical acceptance of technology or dystopia, the condemnation of it.  They felt that people should critically question and evaluate technology, and the consequences of technological change as they do not accept that technology is neutral and without social implications.

The book starts by using the film Metropolis as a metaphor for the need for minds that create technology, to link to the hands that work and then to the heart that finds a place for it. Nardi and Day then take us through some of the other technology metaphors. The ‘Tool’ where technology is something we use or are in control of. ‘The right tool for the right job’, which makes us ask questions about its utility, usability, skill and learning. ‘Text.’  Where technology is a form of communication. Here the user plays a role in making the technology meaningful, even if the designer has added some form of prescription to it. It requires analysis and understanding that the reader may see things in a different way to the writer, but is should speak to us of the richer role that technology plays in our lives. There is also the ‘System’, where we are all deeply involved in technology, with choice and consequences in a complex system.

“An information ecology is a complex system of parts and relationships. It exhibits diversity and experiences continual evolution. Different parts of an ecology coevolve, changing together according to the relationships in the system. Several keystone species necessary to the survival of the ecology are present. Information ecologies have a sense of locality.”

Information Ecology is technology integrated into our habits and practices, people and machines coming together around a specific value to serve its users. It is an ecology with complex dynamics and diverse species in continual evolution. I especially liked the idea of evolving as new ideas, tools, activities and expertise arise and we participate in the development - it reminded me of my thoughts about a cycle of creativity within innovation adoption. A healthy ecology is sustained by active participation within them so they evolve.

Following on from last week's look at privacy, where I mentioned the need for the values of an organisation to be taken into consideration, they pick up on this idea that we are constantly challenged by technology in our 'autonomy, privacy, freedom of speech, copyright, accountability and universal access'. A holistic approach which has been picked up throughout the module, about who are values influences our practices and technology.

For me the crucial section was the 'How to evolve'. Here there are a number of core values and questions that I believe are immensely important, all of which should evolve from the people themselves - all involved, not just designers.

(I have listed them for my own ease of reference)

·         work from core values

·         pay attention

·         ask strategic open ended questions

·         look at what the spaces in between(the 'what you don't see')

·         value service as a form of creativity

·         creativity should be shared

·         ask the 'why' questions to explore motivations, objectives and values

·         ask the 'how' questions for logistics and tactics

·         Observations tell you what can be seen or heard

·         focus questions identify the situation and key facts

·         feeling questions are important in establishing emotions and health

·         identify dreams, ideals and values through visionary questions

·         ask the changes questions - how do we get there

·         consider alternatives, consequences, and obstacles openly and OUT LOUD

·         take inventory of personal interests and contributions