Everyware: The Dawning Age of Ubiquitous Computing

Thesis 47

The practice of technological development is tending to become more decentralized.

Sometime in early 2002—in an agnÈs b. store in Shibuya, of all places—I heard the full-throated sound of the new century for the first time. The track thumping from the store's sound system bent the familiar surge of Iggy and the Stooges' "No Fun" to the insistent beat of "Push It" by Salt'n'Pepa, and it was just as the old commercials promised: These truly were two great tastes that tasted great together. Rarely, in fact, had any music sent such an instant thrill of glee and profound rightness through me. The next track smashed the velvet Underground ...