what will the museum of the future be like?

Curated Computing in a post iPad world

The web has been talking a lot about Sarah Rotman Epps, Forrester analyst, recent analysis of the iPad as a "curated content" device (also see). Curated Content is a mode, according to Epps, where "choice is constrained to deliver less complex, more relevant experiences." Her point is that:

Think of it this way: A consumer can do anything with a Windows PC or Mac, like run commands, install robust software, connect easily to peripheral devices, and save files locally. The iPad operates very differently. Its operating system works more like a jukebox than a desktop — consumers choose (and pay for) applications from a predetermined set list. Each of those applications is, in itself, also curated; the publisher selects content and functionality that’s appropriate to the form factor, just as a museum curator selects artworks from a larger collection to exhibit in a particular gallery space.

However, the tweets have not been sympathetic with Tim O'Reilly (@timoreilly) saying:

"Curated computing: A mode where ... choice is constrained to deliver less complex, more relevant experiences." blogs.forrester.com Really?

And Max Niederhofer (@maxniederhofer) saying:

... and Facebook is the "Curated Web" there's a wonderful German term for it: Entmuendigung, "to deprive one of one's voice."

Aside from the obvious sympathies with the Semantic Web, what is most disturbing with this analysis is the clear association of curation with consumption and marketing. Now this is an association that I have written about before, but what worries me is how, now that this form of curation is fast disappearing from museums, libraries and archives, that is is raising its ugly head in marketing.

I would like to hear what others think on this.

Tags: computing, curated, curation, semantic, web

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Angelina Russo on May 21, 2010 at 8:16am

Hi Robin
Thanks for this thoughtful post.
I have to say that the idea that a device such as the IPad actually constrains choice is a wee bit bizarre to me. If there is one device that could transform the way in which we engage with digital cultural content, it's the IPad. What strikes me about this device is the way in which it draws on two of the foundational tenants of the museum: curiosity and social visitation.
Unlike the iphone, the ipad lends itself to being shared around. It can be easily viewed by more than one person at a time and offers an engagement mode which is more in keeping with research which suggests that museum visititation is a social experience.
Additionally, and perhaps because of this, it offers real potential to draw on the curiosity of a number of people at the same time to explore what matters to them.
I can really see how the ipad as a device can provide active cultural experiences from the comfort of one's own home.
For many years I've been looking at the broadcast model as a way of bringing museum content into the home, now with the ipad this is possible and the opportunities for curation are endless.
I see what you mean about the connection betwteen curation and consumption and it will be interesting to see how this plays out.
In the meantime, the continuing struggle to engage curators in multi-platform distribution could mean that this is a very slow process!

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Permalink Reply by Tim Hart on May 21, 2010 at 11:35am

Robin,

Having had an iPad for three weeks now I would have to say I completely disagree with you! The whole notion of curated applications is a strange one for me - unless you are a developer of applications every program you run on any computing device has been concieved and made by someone else? I don't see the difference with the Apple approach beyond the fact that applications availabe on the App Store can be easily found installed and used - an approach that other companies would do well to try and follow.

I second Angelina's points on the social aspects of the iPad - its a game changer for me - it has already dramatically changed the way I access and use the web - watch movies and TV - answer email etc. etc. - my notebook is having a much easier life now!!

The iPad for me is the first native cloud computing device I have owned - I use DropBox (thankyou @NancyProctor) all the time to organise and access my files across multiple computers - the lack of an accessible file system on the iPad is not an issue, the lack of Flash support on the other hand is problematic!

Try the iPad; I can't believe that anyone who uses one for any length of time will be anything but impressed - its by no means perfect but "curated applications" are the least of its problems!

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Permalink Reply by Sophie Mullen on May 21, 2010 at 8:39pm

I have to agree with the commenters above me. It really seems to depend on whether one conceives of the iPad as the endpoint on a one-way conveyor belt; a repository of content and apps for the consumer's use. In fact, it's entirely the opposite - in terms of usage, the iPad is primarily a gateway for active engagement with the cloud (which itself is increasingly composed of user-generated content). The social aspect is a huge part of what makes the concept tick, so to speak, and of the apps themselves (if one can broadly assume a similar sort of development trajectory for the iPad and its cousin the iPhone) an evergrowing number aren't just concerned with computing but with offering a different way of interacting with the world around us. Augmented reality, anyone?

And on the subject of content curation, if we're drawing parallels between the Apple model and traditional museum curation - what of the vibrant app developer community? Or the widespread practice of jailbreaking iProducts in order to use independent, unauthorised, third-party apps?