The Hitchhiker's Guide to an Active Archive/Introduction Protocol
🎵 Play transition jingle: move_1.mp3
🎵 Play background Music: background_static.mp3
Protocoller: Initiate Introduction Protocol. Performer (shy): What should I say? Protocoller: You should follow the Introduction Protocol. Navigator: Protocoller, please elaborate on the function of the Introduction Protocol. Protocoller: Now reading the chapter 'Introduction Protocol' from The Hitchhiker's guide to an Active Archive: The 'Introduction Protocol' is a protocol -- that is: a procedure of formal or informal nature -- to be used for introductions, not by strict necessity but rather by politeness or when doubting ones own ability to rely their introductory prowess. It is -- Performer (whispering): Oh yes that's us... Protocoller: ... It is informative by nature, addressing who you are and, if deemed necessary, providing context for why you are introducing yourself. In the Active Archive, the introduction serves both as a welcome in the present, as well as a fixation of that present in the past. In that sense, the introduction is the quintessential way to secure your place in the Archive, and -- Navigator: I think we got it, Protocoller. Please skip to the step-by-step guide. Protocoller: Skipping to paragraph 'Step-by-step guide' in the chapter 'Introduction Protocol' from The Hitchhiker's guide to an Active Archive. Step 1: Have you introduced yourselves before? Performer: Yeah, this is our fifth time. Protocoller: Roll a 5 sided dice to select an introduction.
Protocoller: Announce the outcome of the diceroll.
1. Performer: we rolled a 1. Protocoller: Step 2: Play audio clip 1.
2. Performer: we rolled a 2. Protocoller: Step 2: Play audio clip 2.
3. Performer: we rolled a 3. Protocoller: Step 2: Play audio clip 3. Navigator: Houston, we have a 404. The destination cannot be found as the file is not on chop chop.
Protocoller: restart Introduction Protocol.
4. Performer: we rolled a 4. Protocoller: Step 2: Play audio clip 4.
5. Performer: we rolled a 5. Protocoller: Create context for the listeners by introducing the show.
Performer: It is 10:01 in the morning in the studio of Radio Worm. Grab a coffee and something to eat and get ready to listen. We are Rosa, Thijs and Anita, and we will be the caretakers of todays episode of Protocols for an Active Archive, the 22 Xpub special issue. We are first year students of the Experimental Publishing master course, that focuses on the acts of making things public and creating publics in the age of post-digital networks. In the past weeks, we have reflected over protocols a lot, and have come to the conclusion that they can wear many different hats, and look different to separate people.
Since we are new to radio and a bit nervous about being on live broadcast, we asked the caretakers of the show from the past couple of weeks to share some of the protocols they had in place to make sure everything will run smoothly. Before we begin sharing our Hitchhiker's guide to an Active Archive, we would like to encourage you to be an agile and ready-for-action listener, and most importantly - move with us while you navigate the archive!
Protocoller: Step 3: Clearly specify how listeners can interact with us. Navigator: Oh that's exciting! Protocoller: Correct. Play exciting music while the interactive tools are introduced.
🎵 Play 8Bit tool selector music (lower volume): bgm_action_3.mp3[1]
Performer: Several tools will be used to produce an effective and communicative broadcast. Introducing: *The (Ether)Pad -- (semi)anonymously communicate your decisions to the care takers to control the broadcast. Use this to communicate preferred choices when a decision demands to be made. You can control decisions that are made in the studio with that and skew us in your preferred direction. Pay attention as this is a very powerful tool. *The Wiki -- Follow the path of the broadcast by navigating Wiki pages. Hitchhike your way through the Archive. Read our script and see into the future. *The Flow chart -- Look and trace where you want to go. This tool will allow you to have a broader perspective and allow you to make more educated and informed choices during this venture.
Let music finish before continuing.
Protocoller: Check the Ether for interactivity.
🎵 Play Connecting to the ether track Connecting_to_the_ether.mp3
Navigator: Checking now... Give them some time to return the signal...
If sound is done and there is no activity in the EtherPad:
Navigator: There's no activity! Performer: Nothing? ... Should we start over? Protocoller: Commence Introduction Protocol.
If sound is done and there is activity in the EtherPad:
Navigator: Communication is established! Signs of active life are detected in the EtherPad.
Protocoller: Step 4. Check amongst the Caretakers if everyone is at their position.
Protocoller: Performer, are you at your position? Performer: Present. Protocoller: Introduce yourself. Performer: I will perform and assign appropriate tone to third-party text, introductions, and informal moments.
Protocoller: Navigator, are you at your position? Navigator: Present. Protocoller: Introduce yourself. Navigator: I will pilot and navigate the listeners by keeping track of our line of communication also known as the Etherpad. I will also control sound and music.
Protocoller: Protocoller, are you at your position? Protocoller: Present. Protocoller: Introduce yourself. Protocoller: I am the protector of the protocol, I will ensure protocols are respected, enforced and correctly communicated.
Protocoller: Step 5: Check if all Caretakers and the audience at ground control are ready to start Navigator: I'm checking the Ether!
🎵 Play Connecting to the ether track Connecting_to_the_ether.mp3
Present the PAD with 3 options: (1) I'm ready to start. (2) I'm not ready to start. (3) YOU don't seem ready to start.
If sound is done and the PAD is in favor of starting:
Navigator: There's a positive response from the Ether! Protocoller: Commence Content Protocol. Kickstart the engines, Navigator!
If sound is done and the PAD is not in favor of starting:
Navigator: There's a negative response from the Ether! Performer: They're not ready... Of course not.. They must not trust us yet! Protocoller: Fear not. Commence Chill Protocol.
If the PAD gives any indication that the Caretakers might not be ready:
Navigator: Ground Control doubts our expertise. They cast doubt on our ability to perform. Performer: Our expertise? We are only following protocol! Navigator: Protocols, pads, wiki's, flows, mixers. We take everything into account in our travels. Performer: That does sound overwhelming. We should not overthink this. Protocoller: Commence Chill Protocol.