Obama's Inauguration from a Personal Perspective

The following are text messages I sent to Twitter and corresponding images during the inauguration of President Obama on January 20, 2009. They work to paint a firsthand account of the historic event.

"Blocked by a barricade at 7th and everyone is dancing to shout! 9:13AM"
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"Samuel L. Jackson just walked by us 9:16AM"
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"Man climbing tree everyone cheering him on 9:48AM"

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"It's beginning a fire truck stopped in street blocking view and people yelling 9:53AM"
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"Blow up globe beach ball is in our section 10:08AM"
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"A lot of people being transported via ambulance. Let's hope they r all ok 10:16AM"
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"Obama chants start. 10:38AM"
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"Lots of cheers for the motorcade and ted Kennedy 10:44AM"
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"My toes are frozen!! 10:58AM"
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"Lots of singing goodbye to bush 11:55AM"
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"Being hugged by random people! 12:07PM"
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"Flags waving hello to Obama 12:27PM"
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"Seas of people everywhere we turn 1:38PM"
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"Heading on the n4 back to campus. Not too bad on timing 2:18PM"
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"Back home. Phew! 2:35PM"
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Breaking News through Cyberspace

The effect of telematics on our experiences, stories, and communications is always changing and continues to heighten and better our understanding.  Just today, as I witness the breaking news of a major plane crash unravel, one is witnessing the effects of telematics without even realizing it.  Because of telemactics, the story and experience of the event is magnified.  People collectively add pieces of different aspects to the story, whether it be a survivor account sent from one news organization to another on the internet, a photograph from a unique angle published to the world online, or an eyewitness’ report through a telephone.  As Pierre Lévy discusses, there is an endless horizon of how cyberspace and art can develop.  There is no beginning or end nor is there a specific owner of a collective online collaboration.  The story that developed today was not owned by one news organization, but came forth through the collective input of numerous individuals on cyberspace.  Breaking news can be an art as much as a virtual drawing on someone’s Facebook wall.  The way we communicate, create art, and share stories will continue to develop with the advent of telematics.

Telematics & Self

Telematics are not only part of my daily life, but an essential building block in my development. As an avid user of social networking sites such as Facebook, e-mail, and a cell phone, I depend on telematics to connect with others. This connection is not only social, but fundamental in my daily activites, job, and schoolwork. Without telematics, I would be unable to instantly communicate with group members or coworkers. Furthermore, the time involved with such activties as a job search or catching up with others would be substantially longer. Telematics allows me to become more productive and a characteristic user in a generation known for its multitasking abilities.

As I begin to dwell on this topic, I have received an e-mail on my iPhone from a recruiter at Estee Lauder in New York City regarding an in-person meeting for a post-graduation job. This example is telematics in progress. My e-mail address and cell phone number become not only a way to reach me, but a means to identify me. What I choose as my username on this particular blog may be just as important as the clothes I decided to wear to class today. I have chosen my name as the URL address. What does this say about me in the telematic sphere? Am I simple and traditional or professional? Am I afraid to choose words that may result in a negative connotation for someone who may find my blog in the blogosphere? Telematics is another outlet of my identity that may be just as important as meeting me in person. The relationships I build on a site such as Facebook also shape my telematic identity. This is myself and telematics.