The Rise of Intelligent Matter

Ah, how the Austin, Texas nightlife brings out interesting ideas.

While in that lovely city for Vignette Village, I had a fascinating conversation with my new best friend, Austin denizen, musician, and (former Motorola) "Internetologist" Len Hause.

Len is big on RFID technology. Over the course of a few drinks he held forth on the different ways in which RFID tracking devices could be embedded in everything from Austin nightclub tables (to record cultural history) to stone walls (to track wiring).

The key, Len noted, is getting in place the "service layer" to support the recovery of the embedded information left behind by generations of college kids, construction workers and more.

I mentioned to Len that it reminded me of my previous post, in March of last year, on something like this. See "Sense of Place, 2.0."

I pondered Len's provocative idea for the rest of the evening, drifting from rooftop bar to rooftop bar. As I gazed out across the glowing Austin skyline, it occurred to me that 100 years from now, the very same buildings, the clubs, the windows, the neon lights and more, could well be threaded through with strands of information and interactivity.

I wished I could jump forward in time to see Austin 100 years from now. If what Len says is true, we stand on the verge of a new era when mankind will again never use "dumb" materials to build anything.

I envisioned a young person strolling home from a late night of clubbing, 100 years from now, observed by a series of networks he or she has opted into. The building blocks of matter will never be the same.

Yes, there are security concerns that a free people will have to be vigilant about. But there is great potential in this. For personal security and solidarity delivered by contextual information, and a rich sense of history that will be captured.

How perfect for Austin.

How perfect for anywhere.

Photo used under Creative Commons license courtesy of "Stuck in Customs."