The Protocol Reader

In Part 1, Seeing Protocols, you will find a set of essays that will help sensitize you to the protocols all around us, and the patterns of phenomenology they present. In Part 2, Arguing Protocols, we introduce a variety of analytical and conceptual frameworks designed to help you think about protocols. In Part 3, World Engines, we have a set of application-oriented essays from a variety of domains that aim to build your basic “protocol muscles,” and intuitions, enabling you to make decisions and choose behaviors with a literate awareness.

Finally, in Part 4, Living With Protocols, we have a set of wide-angle essays that offer broad views of the world through protocol-tinted glasses, and two speculative fiction pieces that attempt to envision protocolized futures.

The book examines a rich and diverse array of topics and themes through the lens of protocols, from engineering standards, urbanism and architecture, to cultures of memory, death protocols, and the metaphysics of protocols. The authors represent a broad range of STEM, humanities, and social science disciplines, and also include practicing technologists and artists.

For those interested in being part of this burgeoning frontier of technology and culture, we are confident there is no better starting point.

Beyond this book, you will find a great deal more additional research and teaching material in our research archive, and a large collection of videos from our ongoing salon series. You will also find a steady stream of new writing and program event information in the Protocolized newsletter, as well as a lively community on our discord.

Interested in receiving the physical Protocol Kit, which contains all this material and more? Limited copies are available; request one here.