IST Spring Conference #1 – Let Us Meddle
Fiacre O'Duinn will be speaking on Augmented Reality at The IST Spring Conference on June 1, 2011
I was fascinated that Fiacre lists his credentials as
“Librarian — Maker — Technogeek". Librarian I understand… Technogeek is pretty standard… but Maker…what the hey?
Well, as with many other trends over the years, I had missed the rise of Maker Culture. Boing Boing recently linked to a Maker parody and we all know when the satire starts the trend is mainstream. At its artsy-crafty end I can even consider myself part of Maker Culture. (I’ve ordered from Etsy and shopped at The Fresh Collective!)
It goes way beyond that though. “Maker Culture? That’s coders, fabricators, foodies, artists, educators, activists, citizen and even scientists grabbing the Do-It-Yourself ethic with both hands and changing our world in the process…These are people who aren't just making things, they're making a point of sharing what they've learned, what they've made, and why. Often, for free. Makers are responding directly, locally to globalization, commercialization, copyright and central command and control.”
Fiacre is a strong advocate for bringing together libraries and Maker Culture. In his blog, Library Bazaar, he links to a great article in Make Magazine that explores this concept. In Is It Time to Rebuild & Retool Public Libraries and Make “TechShops”? Phillip Torrone states;
"The role of a public library should also adapt over time, and that time is finally here. It’s time to plan how we’re going to build the future and what place public libraries have, should have, or won’t have. The goal of this article is to get everyone talking about one of our great resources, the public library, and its future…."
I’m off to the first Toronto Mini Maker Faire (May 7 & 8) at the Evergreen Brick Works. One of my favourite Toronto journals will be there along with the Critical Making Lab from the Faculty of Information, The Science Centre, HackLabTO, Nanotopia and 70 others.
Looks like fun.
LilyPad Arduino Blinking Bike Patch
Comments