Geoffrey Bowker: Life in the Dataverse

We are entering into a period of unprecedented data gathering and analysis about ourselves, the built world and the natural world.   An extreme vision of this is in the declaration of the approaching internet of things.  I argue first that this period has been a long term one and has proceeded slowly - contrary to most of the urgent rhetoric surrounding it, I trace roots back to the late 18th century and before.  Second, I argue that this long movement does constitute a new way of understanding the relationship between humans and technology - largely through the creation of the performative archive.  Finally, I discuss points of traction for ethical and political action in the emergent sphere.