Indigenized Internet: Dispatch #1
Weaving as computing, and towards a manifesto
Hi, everyone. 👋 Long time no see. Indigenized Internet is still a thing, but I’m changing up the formatting again; I’ll be posting my findings and thoughts in a more “raw”, unpolished form - so that I hopefully can deliver them with a greater frequency.
On weaving
Weaving played a big part in the invention of the computer, with the punch card technology for the loom developed by Jean Marie Jacquard in 1801 forming the basis of Charles Babbage’s calculating machine. How does the indigenous practice of weaving play into this? Weaving is valued as an essential part of many indigenous cultures, such as the t’nalak weaving of the T’boli group in Southern Philippines.
Towards a manifesto
There’s also this matrix of Modernism vs. Wabi-sabi. I find it interesting as a means of comparing not just design, but technology in general. The first part of the matrix definitely aligns with the principle of decentralization I thought of for Indigenized Internet.
I think this could be useful for forming a manifesto for an Indigenized Internet, something I want to work on as a more focused version of my existing diagram:
I visualize this manifesto to contain the themes and values for Indigenized Internet - what indigenous principles will it stand for and embody? It might take the form of a matrix (Existing Internet vs. Indigenized Internet) but as with any research this could change paths.
Digital ba-ëng?
I was in Baguio for a research trip two weeks ago. Having arrived a day early, I decided to visit Mt. Cloud Bookshop. I was able to purchase this gem: Welcome to our Ba-ëng by Vicky Macay, detailing the process, maintenance and values of the ba-ëng, the traditional garden for the Ibaloy group in mountainous northern Philippines.
How might we create not just digital gardens, but digital ba-ëng in particular? What would be the equivalent of our food and nourishment in the context of the Internet?
One interesting thing I also read is that when starting a ba-ëng, the traditional way is to ask for seeds from your neighbors with existing ba-ëng. I found it so beautiful that the indigenous value of reciprocity is practiced even in mundane ways such as this. You ask for seeds from your neighbors, and in turn give seeds to other neighbors when the time comes. It’s wonderful.