Networks

It seems clear that the first epoch of the 3rd Millennium, the Network Age, was already asserting itself in increasingly powerful ways by the early 1990s, if not sooner, through the literal reorganization of the social, political, and economic infrastructure around electronic networks.[1] Samuel R. Smith

Ideas and discussions about networks and complexity are increasingly important among the most diverse communities. These range from hippies to hard-nosed business people and from radical activists to right wing reactionaries and all shades of opinion in between. The discussions range from visions of a collaborative heaven to a hell filled with terrorists, paedophiles and copyright pirates.

Whatever the vision, most seem to start from the assumption that networks are in some way a new phenomenon or at least that they are much more significant now than ever before. They are seen as either the product of, or at least encouraged by, the recent explosive growth of digital media and particularly the internet. Few commentators on the subject explore the nature of networks, except to provide a small number of examples that suit their argument.

Ars Electronica PRIX Net - Vision jury statement

Values:
Use of the network as creative medium.
Critically.
Innovators in formal aspects of the visual language of the Internet, as well as critical or social usage.
Articulation of a unique artistic voice.
Leaving the screen and connecting with the real world, represented both by objects and social processes.
Innovative use of Networks.
Influence & Impact: Symbolic, Fictional, Utilitarian and Inspirational.
Participatory on a significant scale.
Experimental which foresee possibilities related to net-vision as opposed to projects that have already achieved a paradigm shift.
(Works made by individuals V corporations/coalitions).
Karel said he could live without Google, but not without woman.
Karel said hardware, software, nowhere.

Process:
3 winners of 3 different axes. extreme challenge of valuing one over another.
Not only valuing design, valuing a manifest social conscience. This caused a strong desire to award two Golden Nicas to Processing and Vote-Auction.

The development of Networked Media Environments allows the interconnection and networking of people and ideas, a cross-fertilisation between those from diverse cultures and with diverse knowledge. This can lead in two very different directions: