Jun 29, 2010
Information Free Zone
Designed as part of my response to Newcastle City Council’s ‘Interpretive Signage’ brief, which aimed at taking heritage information into the digital realm, the ‘Information Free Zone’ raises the questions “How much information do we need?” & “Where exactly can we go to get away from it?”
An ‘Information Free Zone’ would restrict “the use of the electromagnetic spectrum for wireless telegraphy (to include WIFI, SMS, Bluetooth etc)” and I proposed that the zone be applied to an already peaceful space next to the City’s Cathedral – Amen Corner – and went ahead and notified the public of this ominous change:
If the ‘Information Free Zone’ were to be applied in the UK public sphere, an important question would need to be addressed:
- Does the zone impose an ‘information embargo’ through the use of electromagnetic signal jamming technology?
- Or is the zone subscribed to by citizens (in a similar way to the quiet coach on a train.)
(A technologically imposed ‘Infromation Free Zone’ would likely be in contravention of the 2006 Wireless Telegraphy Act.)
Early responses from the public were mixed – here are some examples:
- I was shocked to see it!
- It is needed in buses and in parks
- It would be a pain
- I can’t see how it’s possible
- Is it not a breach of human rights?
- Everywhere should have one!
- We’ll need a few…
- I go fishing to switch off!
