Network Notebooks #2: The Internet of Things has just been published in print and pdf form by The Institute for Network Cultures, Geert Lovink’s media research centre within the School of Interactive Media at the Hogeschool van Amsterdam (Amsterdam Polytechnic). The publication is one of (very few) which looks at aspects of The Internet of Things. The blurb on the back reads as follows:

Cities across the world are about to enter the next phase of their development. A near invisible network of radio frequency identification tags (RFID) is being deployed on almost every type of consumer item. These tiny, traceable chips, which can be scanned wirelessly, are being produced in their billions and are capable of being connected to the internet in an instant. This so-called ‘Ambient intelligence’ promises to create a global network of physical objects every bit as pervasive and ubiquitous as the worldwide web itself. Some are already calling this controversial network the ‘internet of things’, describing it as either the ultimate convenience in supply-chain management, or the ultimate tool in our future surveillance. This network has the power to reshape our cities and yet it is being built with little public knowledge of consent. Here Rob van Kranenburg examines what impact RFID, and other systems, will have on our cities and our wider society; while also ruminating on what alternative network technologies could help safeguard our privacy and empower citizens to take power back into their own hands. It is both a timely warning and a call to arms.

The institute has published a steady stream of publications including two of the most important network related publications of the last few years, Uncanny Networks and Dark Fiber (all of the institutes publications are listed here).

As with the the first Network Notebook (and a few of the other publications), this edition is free in print form to order from the website. Mine’s in the post but I’ve already had a look at the pdf version and it is definetly worth a look.

Originally seen at Nearfield.