tech:nature literacy & technobiophilia
DESCRIPTION
This lecture uncovers a hidden literacy in the way we think about nature in cyberspace. Why are there so many nature metaphors – clouds, rivers, streams, viruses, and bugs – in the language of the internet? Why do we adorn our screens with exotic images of forests, waterfalls, animals and beaches? In her new book ‘Technobiophilia: Nature and Cyberspace’, Sue Thomas interrogates the prevalence online of nature-derived metaphors and imagery and come to a surprising conclusion. The root of this trend, she believes, lies in biophilia, defined by biologist E.O. Wilson as ‘the innate attraction to life and lifelike processes’. In this lecture, which marks the US launch of the book, she explores the strong thread of biophilia which runs through our online lives, a phenomenon she calls ‘technobiophilia’, or, the ‘innate attraction to life and lifelike processes as they appear in technology’. The restorative qualities of biophilia can alleviate mental fatigue and enhance our capacity for directed attention, soothing our connected minds and easing our relationship with computers. More information at www.suethomas.net This lecture was part of a series of Fall guest lectures exploring the intriguing new concept of metaliteracy developed by Tom Mackey and Trudi Jacobson, and it was presented live in the new Metaliteracy MOOC. The MOOC is open to students at the University at Albany and Empire State College for credit as well as to all global participants as a free and open learning experience. http://metaliteracy.cdlprojects.com/index.htmlTRANSCRIPT
Tech:nature Literacy
Sue Thomaswww.suethomas.net
@suethomas#technobiophilia
18 November 2013Metaliteracy MOOC
University of Albany / SUNY Empire State College
Do you use nature images as screensavers or wallpapers?
Map your relationship with technology and nature
Twitter roof garden
Apple Campus 2
Images (c) Carolyn Black 2013
Biophilia The innate tendency to focus on life and lifelike processes E.O.
Wilson 1984
Attention Restoration Theory (ART)R&S Kaplan, The Experience of Nature, 1989
Nearby Nature Restorative Settings• Being away - setting is physically or
conceptually different from one’s usual environment
• Extent - a setting sufficiently rich and coherent that it engages the mind and promotes exploration
• Fascination (soft & hard) - content or mental processes that engage attention effortlessly & allow you to rest your mind.
• Compatibility - good fit between your inclinations and the kinds of activities supported by the setting.
Nearby Nature: Room With a View, Dorset County Hospital, UK
How ART works in our connected lives
Being Away Extent
How ART works in our connected lives
Soft Fascination Compatibility
TechnobiophiliaThe innate tendency to focus on life and lifelike
processes as they appear in technology
Kahaulani-South, Second Life
‘Digital Break’, Paris
http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2011/218/8/0/yaoi__world_of_warcraft_by_yuhsukechiohara-d45m7re.jpg
Virtual nature
Practical experiments to try
What you can do indoors
1. Pay attention to the view from your window
2. Use indoor plants to your advantage
3. Connect with animals4. Treat yourself to
biophilic computer kit
What you can do outdoors
1. Go outside!2. Create an outdoor
office3. Grow stuff4. Use your smartphone
to enhance your outdoor experience
What you can do online
1. Visit a virtual world2. Play a video game3. Sample some next
nature4. Add biophilic design to
your online spaces
Tech:nature literacy The ability to interpret experiential information
generated by a synthesis of nature and technology.
Project Wild ThingGreat Chapparal by Adam Thwaites (by
permission of the artist)
Transliteracy/MetaliteracyTransliteracy
(Thomas et al)
The ability to read, write and interact across a range of
platforms, tools and media from signing and orality
through handwriting, print, TV, radio and film, to digital
social networks.
Metaliteracy(Mackey and Jacobson)
Metaliteracy promotes critical thinking and collaboration in a digital age, providing a comprehensive framework to effectively participate in
social media and online communities. It is a unified construct that supports the acquisition, production, and
sharing of knowledge in collaborative online
communities.
Tech:nature reminds us of the organic dimension to online life and can...
• Combat digital dualism (cf Nathan Jurgenson)
• Inform reflective learning
• Connect experiential learning and research
• Encourage strategies for well-being through tech:nature balance
• Support lifelong learning
Looking ahead
Biophilic design Second Life teaching space
Class Activity
Map out your own relationships with technology and nature. Do they overlap or are they kept
separate? Can you see ways to integrate them which would contribute to your digital well-
being?