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POST SCRIPT

In the article called 'Generative Psychogeography as a tool for the construction of a hive mind' published in may 2002 we outlined in what way our particular method of walking the streets could be used as a device for both generating knowledge & making it available for others by leaving traces in the environment in much the same ways social insects like ants use pheromones.

As it turns out American hobo's during the great depression used a rich sign language to communicate their findings with others passing the area. These hieroglyphs pointed out that the 'police was hostile towards tramps' or that you got food by 'talking religious'.  

Londoner Matt Jones, an information architect by profession, has now integrated hobo language into what he called Warchalking, which in turn is derived from Warwalking; wandering around with your laptop scanning for open Wireless LAN's wavering around in the air. The idea of Jones adds flavour to this existing practise of tapping in on unprotected "WI-FI" internet connections by marking these places, making it easier for others to find an accessible node. Even though there are as yet apparently very few people actually chalking the Warchalk meme has spread like wildfire. It is a powerful idea, suggesting a method of cooperation with people unknown under the smooth guidance (but not under the control) of the inventor who transformed his site into a point of connection & inspiration for Warchalkers worldwide who are encouraged to suggest extra features or new signals.    

Warchalking in turn inspired fellow Londoners Paul Hammond & the anonymous webmaster behind evilcoffee.org to call for another form of distributed intelligence: Pubchalking, some signs in there lingo warn for pubs where 'the DJ plays Lady in Red over & over again' or they will tell you that you can get a shamrock on your Guinness. The Dutch alternative to this could be a sign telling you where you get a lemon slice in your Hoegaarden.

Also the likewise discipline of Whorechalking has been spotted.  



Original Article GPHM
http://socialfiction.org/psychogeography/psychozwerm.html

Warchalking
http://www.warchalking.org/

PubChalking
http://evilcoffee.org/pubchalking/  

Whorechalking
http://www.plasticbag.org/misc/whorechalking/

HOBO signs
http://www.worldpath.net/~minstrel/hobosign.htm

Wired piece on warchalking
http://www.wired.com/news/wireless/0,1382,53638,00.html