The As We May Think Database / Encyclopedia Project

The As We May Think database is an exploratory mode of research on the correlation between popular culture, computer science, network communities, the history of the internet, the comic and game culture and the cultural aspects of new communication technology. The as we may think database is also an internet & computer science culture documentation-capture project and cataloging system.

The As We May Think database is a collection of data, as web pages, txt, and images based on all cultural references such as books, movies, computergames, papers, comics, persons, places etc. found in the "Jargon File Version 4.3.1." The database counts almost 224 maps, each containing material of one reference. The collected material is stored in a information manager, freeform database software named devon think. But to begin with, let me describe the Jargon File in a few sentences: The "Jargon File 4.3.1" is a hacker dictionary. It is a collection of slang terms used by various subcultures of computer hackers. The main subject of this lexicon is programming, computer science, electronics, and other fields connected to hacking, as science fiction, comics, games, and movies. The "Jargon File" is in the public domain on www.jargon.org, to be freely used, shared, and modified. I have taken this lexicon as the departure point for a extensive internet research which describes loosely the first period and philosophies of the internet and it’s documented inherent culture. Awmt is therefore a re-collection based on the associations of this notes of diverse internet communities.

Awmt is the acronym for "As We May Think". "As We May Think" is originally the title of a paper written by Vannevar Bush (1890-1974). He is the pivotal figure in hypertext research. His conception of the "Memex" introduced, for the first time, the idea of an easily accessible, individually configurable storehouse of knowledge. "Memex", which was described by Bush as a: theoretical machine to enhance human memory by allowing the user to store and retrieve documents linked by associations. This associative linking was very similar to what is known today as hypertext. Douglas Engelbart, Ted Nelson and J.C.R. Licklider were directly inspired by his work, and, in particular, his article, "As We May Think." Neverthless Vannevar Bush was never directly involved with the creation or development of the Internet. He died before the creation of the World Wide Web.

Over the course of one year, (March 2004 – March 2005 ) I have developed the conceptual structure for this database, finally resulting in a lecture, and workshop & installation series. The workshop & installation is essentially an inventory of stories. Also it can be seen as a massive documentation-capture project and cataloging system which will be published in the form of a workshop & installation, let's say; a real-time documentation-capture performance where invited people and visitors alike are tracking and interpreting the already existing material as well as creating new internet travelogues. The workshop & installation is primarily thought as a continuation of this database by diverse authors and researchers, hopefully each providing an opportunity to address the collection from a different point of view, in a different kind of way. Awmt is an ongoing project that allows the content and context of the database and publication process to converge.

Photos by Sabine von Fischer, Claudia Hardi and Mun Leng Lau