Radio Worm: Protocols for an Active Archive (Week 1)

Protocols: How Control Exists after Decentralization

At the core of networked computing is the concept of protocol. A computer protocol is a set of recommendations and rules that outline specific technical standards. The protocols that govern much of the Internet are contained in what are called RFC (Request For Comments) documents. Called “the primary documentation of the Internet,” these technical memoranda detail the vast majority of standards and protocols in use on the Internet today.

... Other protocols are developed and maintained by other organizations. For example, many of the protocols used on the World Wide Web (a network within the Internet) are governed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). This international consortium was created in October 1994 to develop common protocols such as Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) and Cascading Style Sheets.

...Protocol is not a new word. Prior to its usage in computing, protocol referred to any type of correct or proper behavior within a specific system of conventions. It is an important concept in the area of social etiquette as well as in the fields of diplomacy and international relations. Etymologically it refers to a fly-leaf glued to the beginning of a document, but in familiar usage the word came to mean any introductory paper summarizing the key points of a diplomatic agreement or treaty.

...Yet instead of governing social or political practices as did their diplomatic predecessors, computer protocols govern how specific technologies are agreed to, adopted, implemented, and ultimately used by people around the world. What was once a question of consideration and sense is now a question of logic and physics.

Source: Introduction, pp 6-7, Protocol: How Control Exists after Decentralization, Alexander Galloway (2004)

Active Archives

Activating the archive?

Manifesto for an Active Archive

Active Archives: 2023?

• Bowker's warning of the perfect archive?
• Importance to focus on care / long term sustainability of practices

La Langues Schaerbeekoise / Spreekt-u Sint-Gillis

• https://lalangueschaerbeekoise.be/
• https://spreektu1060.be

Forms of engagment / inputs and outputs:

• Workshops / Meetings with cultural groups
• Radio programs (Radio Alma(BE) + Radio Panik(BE) + Radio Campus(Paris))
• Radio walk (Anna Raimondo)
• Publication
• Exhibition

Note on archival process

Protocols?

• Questioning authorship
• Interogating ontologies
• Collectivity on (our) own terms

Reworking WORM's archive?

Nourishing networks...

Trimester plan

Schedule