virtual@ucscc.ucsc.edu (Group for the Study of Virtual Systems) (11/27/90)
------------- SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT AND CALL FOR ABSTRACTS ------------
REVISED AND UPDATED
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* THE SECOND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CYBERSPACE *
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SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA APRIL 19-20, 1991
Sponsored and hosted by
GROUP FOR THE STUDY OF VIRTUAL SYSTEMS (GSVS),
CENTER FOR CULTURAL STUDIES
University of California, Santa Cruz
As with the First Conference at Austin in 1990, the Second International
Conference on Cyberspace is not primarily about the enabling technology of
VR, 3-D interfaces or high speed computer graphics. Its focus is on the
nature of cyberspace conceived of as an independent realm, a shared virtual
environment whose inhabitants, objects and spaces are data, but data which
is visualized, heard and (perhaps) touched. Effective technical means of
access to, and navigation in, cyberspace is assumed.
The focus of the Conference is theoretical and conceptual. The Second
Conference will continue the project, begun at the First Conference in Austin,
of attempting to arrive at the outlines of a consensus and vision of
cyberspace as a workable system. We also seek to reach an understanding of
how the components of cyberspace already "under construction" in the
development and design of graphic user interfaces, scientific visualization
techniques, video games, CAD, abstract architecture and architectural design
theory, knowledge navigation, "cyberpunk" discourse, cultural studies,
film and narrative theory, virtual and artificial reality systems, ISDN
and other networks, groupware, and hypermedia might someday function
together to create a true, public cyberspace, as well as private, special-
purpose cyberspaces: viable, 3-dimensional, alternate realities providing the
maximum number of individuals with the means of communication, creativity,
productivity, mobility, and control over the shapes of their lives
within the new information and media environment.
The Second International Conference on Cyberspace is scheduled to take
place in six sessions over two days and two nights.
Session I: 9 A.M. Friday, April 19. WHY CYBERSPACE?
Representative subtopics: the nature/validity/lessons of William
Gibson's vision; cyberspace and mythology; the nature of work and
power in an "informated" society; cyberspace as the site of
multinational/ multilocational business; the role of cyberspace
in corporate life and the corporation in cyberspace; implosion and
media; global vs. local vs. private systems; costs and benefits
of reifying information; directions and futures of computing;
is cyberspace entertainment or work, addiction or production;
McLuhan revisited: global village or global dream?...
Session II: 1 P.M. Friday, April 19.
LOGICAL AND ONTOLOGICAL PROBLEMS.
Representative subtopics: space-time axiomatics; magic vs. logic;
the presence of self and others; the meaning of travel and action;
what does nature mean in a technological environment; the framing of
cyberspace; strategies of search and navigation; requisite levels
of structure and consensus; dealing with subjectivity in virtual space;
body as metaphor of coding; rethinking clothing, body surface,
prosthesis; what to do when your best friend is a construct...
Session III: 7 P.M. Friday, April 19.
CYBERSPACE, POWER, AND CULTURE: ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION.
Politics of representation in cyberspace; implications for minority
discourse; implications of teleagency; what counts as style, and why;
interactive virtual theater; discussion of legal, economic, and
technological factors in the institution of cyberspace(s); the
meaning of surveillance, security, privacy, and control in cyberspace;
the disabled/ differently abled in cyberspace; governments,
institutions, corporations, individuals: who owns/ creates/manages
cyberspace(s); who is excluded and who is likely to exclude
themselves from cyberspace; who becomes invisible because of
cyberspace; whither responsibility?; cops and robbers: or, what is
crime in a virtual world?; who pays, who profits?; whose vision is
cyberspace anyway...
Session IV: 9 A.M. Saturday, April 20.
REPRESENTING AND MANIPULATING DATA IN SPACE.
Natural vs. artificial coordinate systems; the form and meaning of
data objects; state, phase, and abstract spaces of scientific
visualization; 3-dimensional user interface design; ambiguity,
complexity and learning; visual languages; art and science together
at last?; real world control and feedback; human performance with
abstract stimuli. . .
Session IV: 1 P.M. Saturday, April 20.
VISUALIZATIONS OF THE SYSTEM.
Literary, graphic, or computer examples of, attempts at, and designs
for cyberspace, at the public or private scale; architecture in, and
the architecture of, cyberspace; alternative spatiotemporal
metaphors from "physical reality"; computational models for large
communication and data networks. . .
Session VII: 7 P.M. Saturday, April 20. DINNER AND WRAP UP.
Summary, discussion, and setting of date and place of the Third
International Conference on Cyberspace.
All papers, and a number of selected abstracts, will be published in
Proceedings, available late 1991.
Due to slow mailings of the first announcement, the deadline for submission
of abstracts has been extended until December 20, 1990. Abstracts should
be between 600 and 1000 words. Submission of an abstract indicates the
submitter's intention and capability to write and present the corresponding,
full length paper, if chosen.
LOCATION. The Conference will take place on the campus of the University
of California at Santa Cruz, overlooking Monterey Bay approximately 70
miles south of San Francisco. UCSC has a well-deserved reputation as one
of the world's most beautiful universities.
ACCOMMODATIONS. Rates range upward from $70 per night, although
slightly lower rates may be unearthed by the perspicacious. The Conference
has reserved a block of rooms at a somewhat reduced rate in the Santa Cruz
Holiday Inn. The Conference office is coordinating reservations and
information will be supplied in the registration packet. There are several
attractive bed-and-breakfast establishments in the area. For registrants,
the Conference will supply information about other hotels, B&Bs, etc.
The Group for the Study of Virtual Systems will attempt to provide
affordable lodging for a limited number of student attendees and others who
demonstrate financial need.
The UC Santa Cruz campus is not within easy walking distance of lodging.
However, there is frequent bus service to and from the campus, and there
are plans for a Conference jitney.
TRANSPORTATION. Closest airports are San Jose International and Monterey.
San Francisco and Oakland International airports are roughly 70 miles from
Santa Cruz. There is frequent bus and limousine service to and from San
Jose.
RECREATION (or quasi-recreation). The proximity of Silicon Valley may
permit Conference attendees to make some on-site visits to Valley
companies. Details will be announced later. For those wishing a more
kinesthetic experience than current cyberspace implementations afford,
Santa Cruz possesses a world-famous rollercoaster. The Monterey Aquarium
and several world-class amusement parks are nearby. Elephant seals will
be mating in their spectacular fashion at the Ano Nuevo National Wildlife
Refuge. Big Sur National Seashore is just to the south. And although March
may not be quite warm enough for swimming, Santa Cruz' sunny beaches are
fine for relaxing.
--- BUSINESS ---
DEADLINES. New deadline for submission of abstracts is December 20, 1990.
Notification of selection for presentation by January 20, 1990.
New deadline for registration is February 1, 1990.
REGISTRATION. To register, send abstracts or a brief letter describing your
interest and/or involvement in the field, with a check for registration fees,
to the address given below. Please make checks payable to Regents of the
University of California. Attendance is limited to 140; if an application
cannot be accepted, registration fees will be returned.
Cost of registration includes printed material, two lunches, and final dinner
(Session VI). Registration for participants is $180.00, which includes copies
of the Collected Abstracts and preferred seating; registration for a limited
number of observers is $100.00, and includes the Collected Abstracts and
one lunch.
SCHOLARSHIPS. A limited number of registrations and accommodations will
be made available at reduced rate to students and others demonstrating
financial need.
--- CORRESPONDENCE ---
ADDRESS REGISTRATION, ALL CORRESPONDENCE, AND QUESTIONS TO:
THE SECOND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CYBERSPACE
Allucquere Rosanne Stone, Program Chair
Group for the Study of Virtual Systems
Center for Cultural Studies
Oakes College
University of California, Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA 95064
EMAIL: virtual@ucscc.ucsc.edu
Please use email rather than phone whenever possible.
TELEPHONE: (408) 459-4899
FAX: (408) 429-0146
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The 1991 Program Committee:
Allucquere Rosanne Stone History of Consciousness
University of California, Santa Cruz
and Department of Sociology
University of California, San Diego
John Ahrens Department of Philosophy
University of Hartford
Steve Bingham President and CEO
Alias Research
Toronto, Ontario
Michael Benedikt School of Architecture
University of Texas at Austin
Don Fussell Department of Computer Sciences
University of Texas at Austin
Charles Grantham Vice president for R&D
North Bay Consultants, San Francisco
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