Found USB! is a segment I like to do that really shows how the gap between USB-savvy people and people who are still using optical media is closing. This time we discover the strangest (and I kinda think coolest) place we've seen a USB port yet....on the side of a building?
German artist and architect, Aram Bartholl, has strategically placed USB ports around New York City waiting to be discovered. His idea is that people will use these "dead drops" as a new peer-to-peer file exchange. Finders can exchange music, art, messages, videos...whatever.
Bartholl says the following on his website:
‘Dead Drops’ is an anonymous, offline, peer to peer file-sharing network in public space. I am ‘injecting’ USB flash drives into walls, buildings and curbs accessible to anybody in public space. You are invited to go to these places (so far 5 in NYC) to drop or find files on a dead drop. Plug your laptop to a wall, house or pole to share your favorite files and data."
For now, Dead Drops is in it's beta phase with just 5 hot spots, but Bartholl does plan to expand into other cities and states and wants the project to go viral, with complete instructions on how any one can add a USB stick to the project.
I personally think it's one of the coolest ideas I've seen lately. Yes I know that "what if someone puts a virus on there?" bunk. USB drives don't spread anymore viruses than your email does. I say share on!
What do you think? Leave us a comment and keep the discussion going.
Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites
