This lecture uncovers a hidden literacy in the way we think about nature in cyberspace. Why are there so many nature metaphors – clouds, rivers, streams, viruses, and bugs – in the language of the internet? Why do we adorn our screens with exotic images of forests, waterfalls, animals and beaches? In her new book ‘Technobiophilia: Nature and Cyberspace’, Sue Thomas interrogates the prevalence online of nature-derived metaphors and imagery and come to a surprising conclusion. The root of this trend, she believes, lies in biophilia, defined by biologist E.O. Wilson as ‘the innate attraction to life and lifelike processes’. In this lecture, which marks the US launch of the book, she explores the strong thread of biophilia which runs through our online lives, a phenomenon she calls ‘technobiophilia’, or, the ‘innate attraction to life and lifelike processes as they appear in technology’. The restorative qualities of biophilia can alleviate mental fatigue and enhance our capacity for directed attention, soothing our connected minds and easing our relationship with computers. More information at www.suethomas.net This lecture was part of a series of Fall guest lectures exploring the intriguing new concept of metaliteracy developed by Tom Mackey and Trudi Jacobson, and it was presented live in the new Metaliteracy MOOC. The MOOC is open to students at the University at Albany and Empire State College for credit as well as to all global participants as a free and open learning experience. http://metaliteracy.cdlprojects.com/index.html

1. Tech:nature Literacy
Sue Thomas
www.suethomas.net
@suethomas
#technobiophilia
18 November 2013
Metaliteracy MOOC
University of Albany / SUNY Empire State College

2. Do you use nature images as
screensavers or wallpapers?

3. Map your relationship with
technology and nature

4. Twitter roof garden

5. Apple Campus 2

6. Images (c) Carolyn Black 2013

7. Biophilia
The innate tendency to focus on life and lifelike
processes E.O. Wilson 1984

8. Attention Restoration Theory (ART)
R&S Kaplan, The Experience of Nature, 1989
Nearby Nature
Restorative Settings
• Being away - setting is physically
or conceptually different from
one’s usual environment
• Extent - a setting sufficiently rich
and coherent that it engages the
mind and promotes exploration
• Fascination (soft & hard) content or mental processes that
engage attention effortlessly &
allow you to rest your mind.
• Compatibility - good fit between
your inclinations and the kinds of
activities supported by the
setting.

9. Nearby Nature: Room With a
View, Dorset County Hospital, UK

10. How ART works in our connected lives
Being Away
Extent

11. How ART works in our connected lives
Soft Fascination
Compatibility

13. Technobiophilia
The innate tendency to focus on life and lifelike
processes as they appear in technology

14. Kahaulani-South, Second Life

15. ‘Digital Break’, Paris

16. Virtual nature
http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2011/218
/8/0/yaoi__world_of_warcraft_by_yuhsuke
chiohara-d45m7re.jpg

17. Practical experiments to try

18. What you can do indoors
1. Pay attention to the
view from your
window
2. Use indoor plants to
your advantage
3. Connect with animals
4. Treat yourself to
biophilic computer kit

19. What you can do outdoors
1. Go outside!
2. Create an outdoor
office
3. Grow stuff
4. Use your smartphone
to enhance your
outdoor experience

20. What you can do online
1. Visit a virtual world
2. Play a video game
3. Sample some next
nature
4. Add biophilic design to
your online spaces

21. Tech:nature literacy
The ability to interpret experiential information
generated by a synthesis of nature and technology.
Project Wild Thing
Great Chapparal by Adam Thwaites
(by permission of the artist)

22. Transliteracy/Metaliteracy
Transliteracy
(Thomas et al)
Metaliteracy
(Mackey and Jacobson)
The ability to read, write and
interact across a range of
platforms, tools and media
from signing and orality
through handwriting, print,
TV, radio and film, to digital
social networks.
Metaliteracy promotes critical
thinking and collaboration
in a digital age, providing a
comprehensive framework
to effectively participate in
social media and online
communities. It is a unified
construct that supports the
acquisition, production, and
sharing of knowledge in
collaborative online
communities.

23. Tech:nature reminds us of the organic
dimension to online life and can...
• Combat digital dualism
(cf Nathan Jurgenson)
• Inform reflective
learning
• Connect experiential
learning and research
• Encourage strategies
for well-being through
tech:nature balance
• Support lifelong
learning

24. Looking ahead
Biophilic design
Second Life teaching space

25. Class Activity
Map out your own relationships with technology
and nature. Do they overlap or are they kept
separate? Can you see ways to integrate them
which would contribute to your digital wellbeing?