NETWORKS OF NEW YORK, Ingrid Burrington

NETWORKS OF NEW YORK is a book by Ingrid Burrington, whom I met when we were speaking together at Haunted Machines in Manchester. She is extremely clever, extremely well-read and exiremely observant, and this book showcased all that to great effect.

It is, simply put, a field guide to the physical signs of the network in New York. It’s also a history, and a consideration of the nature of living inside the internet. It is completely fascinating, from the hobo code of street markings to the spider-ate-fly corporate evolutions that tangle up the law and the money mantling every cable, pipe and junction under the city. It’s a history of the internet, a history of New York, a history of communications and a history of business, all at once. And it’s a gorgeous production – the design of the physical edition is superb. Very recommended.

NETWORKS OF NEW YORK, Ingrid Burrington