107. How could a PBS of the Internet cultivate a more human web? Laurel Schwulst on a lighter weight Internet (Good Web)
Aug 21, 2024
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Laurel Schwulst, an artist, designer, and educator known for founding the Fruitful School program, joins to discuss her vision for a PBS-like organization on the Internet. She proposes an initiative to foster a more humane web that encourages curiosity and community. The conversation delves into ultralight web design, highlighting the importance of accessibility and personal expression. Schwulst contrasts gifting with sharing, emphasizing the relational value in digital interactions. Ultimately, she envisions a curated online space that champions creativity and connection.
The concept of a PBS-like body for the Internet aims to prioritize human connection and educational content over commercial interests.
Taking a lightweight approach to web design promotes user creativity and enhances experiences by minimizing data usage and functionality.
Deep dives
Lightweight Approaches to Web Design
Taking a lightweight approach to web design is emphasized, highlighting the potential of simple, efficient websites. This concept is explored in a workshop that focuses on creating sites that maintain functionality while minimizing data usage. Examples, such as time-specific or location-specific websites, illustrate how these lightweight sites can enhance user experience. Participants from diverse backgrounds create unique projects, emphasizing how lightweight design can express personal experiences and foster creativity.
The Concept of a PBS for the Internet
The proposal for establishing a 'PBS of the Internet' aims to create an online environment that prioritizes human connection and educational content over advertising-driven models. This vision draws on the principles of public broadcasting, which focuses on quality and community benefit rather than commercial interests. By curating and distributing valuable content, this initiative seeks to counterbalance the overwhelming influence of social media algorithms. The idea is to foster a more thoughtful and enriching online experience akin to the calmness provided by classic PBS programming.
Creating Spaces for Human Interaction Online
The discussion highlights the importance of generating environments online that encourage meaningful human interaction. An emphasis is placed on allowing individuals to express creativity and share experiences through curated online spaces. By comparing traditional internet experiences to a labyrinthine mall or casino, a call is made for a shift towards environments that promote curiosity and imagination. Envisioning the internet as more of a garden or school reflects a desire for a more nurturing and open digital experience.
The Role of Gifting in Online Relationships
Gifting is presented as a mechanism for enhancing relationships in the digital space, distinguishing it from the more transactional nature of sharing. Emphasizing the personal connection involved in gifting, the conversation explores how this concept can be woven into online interactions to foster community and intimacy. The discussion also ties into broader themes of recognizing sensitivity and the unique environments that emerge when people collaborate creatively. Ultimately, the intention is to cultivate a future internet that values human connections and emotional engagement.
For the final episode of our Good Web series, artist, designer, and educator Laurel Schwulst joins Mike to talk through her proposal for a PBS of the Internet. She describes how a PBS-like body that intentionally crafts the spaces, software, and information for a public good could crucial for creating an environment that rewards curisoity […]
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