You could say that the Web is one big virtual market. But with the rise of Web 2.0 - and the unignorable surge and need for social media - I have been seasoning a new idea that could add an entirely different element to the virtual market.
I am currently reading a fascinating book by journalist Micheal Pollan called 'The Omnivore's Dilemma', which delves into the predicament of the human being who eats everything. In this modern age of industrialisation in the western world, we have become stymied by the cornucopia of choice available. Stymied to the point that, as the true nature of our food is lost in the capital process, so is the natural personal bond and connection that we have with our food.
I think this can be applied to the "Cybervore" if you will. Normally, when one browses, surfs or Googles the Web, one is inundated with 'Buy, buy, buy!'. Often this is via unwanted, intrusive banners or (worse yet) pop-ups that ruin our experience and cause the exact opposite of the desired goal - the user experience is negative, one of disgust and absolutely not resulting with any bonding to the brand.
When we last met, class, I told you of my fondness and obsession with my neighbourhood market. Today we will be bringing that into a new realm.
'
Cooking is both a fusion of different cultures as well as a bridge between them.' - Michelin Tri-Star Chef and Catalan Culinary Magician Carmen Ruscalleda
I am a firm believer in the divine Ms. Ruscalleda's philosophy. But I will take it a step further and say that it is the entire universe that evolves around cooking - from the marketplace, to its community, to the food, to the table, to the guests - that brings cultures together.
So if this cornucopia can be a successful social stimulus in the real world, what happens when we apply it to the virtual world?
My colleague, friend and imho genius
Fatima (Timi) Alcala answered this question not too long ago in her
final thesis, "The Pinay Fiesta Table'', as a graduate of Interactive Media at the Hogeschool van Amsterdam.
A Filipina ("Pinay") by origin, Timi created the blueprint for what she refers to as:
...an interactive artifact that is envisioned to bring together migrant women in one place by seamlessly merging elements of eating and storytelling to form a natural experience.
In other words, this is a virtual table, where migrant Filipina's throughout the diaspora (within the Netherlands) can come together to enjoy a virtual feast - sharing stories, recipes and experiences.
The site consists of a virtual 'table', where napkin holders contain recipe cards, glasses contain text or images that relate to food in the Philippeans society, where the table is covered in Filipino artwork, and where the pots placed in the centre act as tools for recording the stories of the women who guest at this banquet table.
By now you must understand why I think this woman is a genius...
This has been on my mind ever since Timi modestly told me of her 'cultural artifact project' in the hall by our office kitchen one day.
I have been thinking about it a lot lately, as this theme of the marketplace has been running through my head. And I have been asking myself this: What if we took this idea and broadened it to bring diverse communities together? What if we created a virtual market with the goal of re-creating the cohesion found on my little
Dappermarkt?
A virtual market - one that places social cohesion and community as the primary goal. One where the community of this virtual market decides for itself what it wants in the market stalls. One where the market sellers would be part of this community - with as much of a responsibility to it as the people who visit it. One where you could ask for
wild apricots that would indeed run off. ;)
I see it as this concept: A site that consists of a virtual neighbourhood market, where the community decides what they want to have in this market, and where the social activities within this market are just as important as the carefully selected wares found in the market stands. A user-generated market that would decide together on the guidelines for opening up a stand in this market, voting to select those proposing to open their stands. A platform where the seller is just as much a part of - and just as responsible for - developing the community as the community itself.
What would - what could - happen?
Tell me...
