Great! (but what is it?)

What is Power To the People? It seems it's not always easy to explain…

When I talk to people about schemes that PTTP could be used for - they (mostly) get excited and throw in lots of ideas. Which is just the sort of reaction I was hoping for! So, what's the problem?

I then mention that the project isn't about actually implementing any of these ideas directly - it's about providing a method to help other people create these sort of schemes. That slightly confused look starts to cross their face…

Most people are quite happy to use tools: computers, phones, buildings, clothes, coffee mugs (look around - bet there aren't many things you can see that aren't tools). But how often do you think about how these tools are made (and, indeed, why should you?) Making tools to make other tools is, well, somewhat into the geek territory. PTTP is one more stage removed - it's a tool - to help make tools - to help make a public installation tool. By this time, most people have suddenly remembering they have a pressing appointment and have to leave.

Working with Nathan Hughes (new producer on PTTP) is definitely helping this process - he's the translator from what goes on in my head (a sort of green and black screen with falling characters on it) to what goes on in other people's heads (you'd know better than I would here…)