Research projects
Working on my MA degree at the U of Texas ACTLab was research-intensive by definition. My primary interest lay in the subject of agency and subjectivity in computer-mediated communications systems, especially 3D virtual worlds. I developed a theory that used Dissociative Identity Disorder as a model for distributed subjectivity in cyberspace and this theory was laid out in my Master's Project, along with a virtual world test bed (LegionWorld) that instantiated the concepts. The image at right shows a composite avatar in LegionWorld, which makes the notion of distributed self explicit. This subject is treated in detail at the link below:
Adaptive dissociation in cvberspace
My primary focus for 20 years or so was on making art, especially wearable cybernetic art. This was not only an esthetic enterprise, however- there was also a certain amount of experimentation and research involved. I realized the importance of creating a coherent theoretical stance to support something as radical as I was proposing, so I published papers and presented my work at conferences in both the jewelry art and computer art worlds:
"Jewelry for a Brave New World", Ornament magazine, 1987
"Algorithmic Ornament", Visual Computer magazine, 1988
While I was at Human Code, I wrote some position papers describing how we might use virtual world and game technologies as part of our business model in the Learning division:
Digital Space as an Arena for Broadband Educational Opportunities
Collaborative Virtual Environments for Learn, Work, Play
Collaborative Virtual Environments for Distance Learning
