Urban Planning and Interactive Systems. Social Computing. Tom Erickson Interview - Part 4

In this insightful interview, we meet Tom Erickson, an expert in social computing systems at IBM Watson Lab. Tom shares how principles from urban planning, particularly from Jane Jacobs' work, inspire the design of interactive systems. Jacobs' book, "The Death and Life of Great American Cities," emphasizes the "eyes on the street" concept and how public interactions define the health of urban environments. Tom explains how these ideas translate to social computing, focusing on how environments support interaction among strangers, attract people, and become self-sustaining.

Tom highlights the importance of understanding the interaction dynamics of physical spaces to design effective online systems. By examining how urban planning fosters natural interactions, designers can create social-computing systems that facilitate similar behavior. He discusses the concept of commercial ecology, where a mix of attractions draws people in, and additional elements enhance the experience, making the system self-sustaining. In his essay "Knowing the Particulars," Tom outlines best practices inspired by Jacobs, such as observing real-world counterparts, understanding the social norms in those settings, and designing systems that reflect these dynamics. He also addresses the need for visibility and privacy balance, ensuring that social cues inform users without overwhelming them.

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