UbiCrit is devoted to gathering serious, scholarly criticism of Ubiquitous Computing (Ubicomp). UbiCrit also includes criticism of the variants and relatives of Ubicomp, including pervasive computing, invisible computing, information appliances, intelligent environments, augmented reality, and wearable computing. UbiCrit is not devoted to the "what" or "how" of these technologies, but will rather mostly cover the "why" (or "why not"), and "what's right" and "what's wrong". We are not against these technologies per se, but are interested in balancing out the conventional view that these technologies are wholly positive; we are interested in appropriate use. While Ubicomp and its relatives do have positive and beneficial aspects, we are attempting to inject a healthy dose of skepticism into the conversation. Our approach is inspired more by social realism than it is by the currently pervasive semi-utopian stance toward new technology.

If you have an article or paper that you believe ought to be included here, please e-mail us at ubicrit@RobertOrr.net (please give us the title and author(s), a short summary, and where we can find it). We reserve the right of final editorial decision.

Landmark Ubicomp: Visions & Demonstrations

Ubicomp Criticism: Towards A More Realistic Story

Other Technology Criticism Sites

• "The Computer for the 21st Century", Mark Weiser, 1991.
• This is the original vision by the father of Ubicomp; published in Scientific American in 1991.
• "The Coming Age of Calm Technology", Mark Weiser and John Seeley Brown, 1996.
  • A vision of technology which fades into the background.
• The Invisible Computer (book), Don Norman, 1998.
• "The KidsRoom: A Perceptually-based Interactive and Immersive Story Environment", Aaron Bobick, et al.
• Mike Mozer's Neural Network House, 1995.

Ubicomp Criticism: Towards A More Realistic Story

• "Charting Past, Present, and Future Research in Ubiquitous Computing", Gregory Abowd and Beth Mynatt, 2000.
• The Ubicomp debate in the NetFuture newsletter (1999-2000)
  • "The Voluntary Complexity Movement", Langdon Winner's original article (NF#94)
  • "The Fascination with Ubiquitous Control", Steve Talbott (NF#95)
  • "Toward Appropriate Behavior by Objects", Alan Wexelblat, and response, Langdon Winner (NF#95)
    • Four responses to "Toward Appropriate Behavior by Objects" (NF#96)
  • "Cheap Shots at Ubiquitous Computing", Alan Wexelblat (NF#98)
  • "We'll Get What We Choose (and I'll Choose Convenience)", Thomas Leavit (NF#98)
    • Two responses to "We'll Get What We Choose" (NF#100)
  • "Of Gadgets and Real Needs", Steve Talbott (NF#100)
  • "The Trouble with Ubiquitous Technololgy Pushers (Part 1)", Steve Talbott (NF#100)
    • "Criticize Out of Love, Not Resentment", Kevin Kelly (NF#101)
      • Two responses to "Criticize Out of Love, Not Resentment", (NF#102)
    • Three additional responses to "The Trouble...(Part 1)" (NF#101)
  • "The Trouble with Ubiquitous Technololgy Pushers (Part 2)", Steve Talbott (NF#101)
  • "The Trouble with Ubiquitous Technololgy Pushers (Part 3)", Steve Talbott (NF#112)
• "The Visible Problems of the Invisible Computer: A Skeptical Look at Information Appliances", Andrew Odlyzko, 1999.
• "Addicted to High-Tech Speed", Tamara Strauss, AlterNet, 2000.
• This is a short report on the Speed.com conference.
• Code and Other Laws of Cyberspace (book), Lawrence Lessig, 1999.
• The Whale and the Reactor (A Search for Limits in the Age of High Technology) (book), Langdon Winner, 1986.
• In the Absence of the Sacred : The Failure of Technology and the Survival of the Indian Nations (book), Jerry Mander, 1991.

Other Technology Criticism Sites

• NetFuture
• Confronting Technology
• Loka Institute
• Electronic Privacy Information Center
• Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility

Copyright ©2000, Robert J. Orr. Last modified 12 November, 2000.