Towards a Culture of Gift Computing
| Towards a Culture of Gift Computing | |
|---|---|
| Name | Towards a Culture of Gift Computing |
| Location | H&D Studio |
| Date | 2026/07/17 |
| Time | 16:00-18:30 |
| PeopleOrganisations | Florence |
| Type | HDSC2026 |
| Web | Yes |
| No | |
This event was only for participants of the Summer Camp 2026 and not open to the public. For public events you could check: HDSC2026 Clouds to Commons Public Program
Drawing on Lewis Hyde’s ‘The Gift’ and fandom gift economies, we gathered to consider what gift computing could look like and how we could nurture a culture of gifting in our everyday lives.
Participants were welcome to bring their Laptops, as well as gifts!
Timeline:
- Introducing core concepts (10-15 mins)
- Group discussion (30 mins)
- What gifts have you received that were particularly meaningful?
- Does a gift have to be a physical object?
- How does it feel to give or receive a gift?
- Does a gift come with responsibilities?
- Have you received a digital gift? What was it?
- What aspects of computing could be gifted? Hyperlinks, server space, domain names, websites, repairs? What would that look like? Would it work at a larger scale?
- What makes a gift ‘good’ or ‘bad’?
- What kind of structures encourage gifting?
- Making bingo cards (30 mins)
- Communally working on gifts (1 hour)
Access Note:
- There was a guided but relatively freeform group discussion, with no set protocol for who should speak when. I was more than happy to work with any neurodivergent participants (or just those who find this difficult) to find ways to make it easier. We also made bingo cards, which involved writing and drawing. Participants were welcome to use laptops or phones for this instead.
Bio:
There is the open-and-shut closed loop of a transaction, and there is the circulatory logic of gifts. A gift carries a personal touch. It is given freely, but carries the possibility of paying it forward or reciprocating in kind. Gifting may be done as part of a wider structure, or for no reason at all. Taking inspiration from Lewis Hyde’s ‘The Gift: Imagination and the Erotic Life of Property’ and fandom gift economies, we will gather to discuss our own experiences of gifting, consider what gift computing might look like, and plot gifts for other campers.