Artist Michael Mandiberg has a penchant for combining computer programming, economics, and art. Two recent functional digital art pieces use plug-ins for the Internet browser Mozilla Firefox to explore the true costs of commerce in an unconventional way. The plug-ins alter your view of Internet shopping sites, adding additional information about prices and products on display.
Mandiberg’s “Oil Standard” (2006) converts all online prices into their equivalents in barrels of oil. As the price of oil changes in real time, the equivalents fluctuate as well. Hover over a price conversion, and the titles of recent news stories related to energy and oil also appear.
In 2007, Mandiberg unveiled a new Firefox plug-in that works specifically with online travel sites. As you search for airline tickets, “Real Costs” calculates the carbon dioxide produced on each travel segment, displaying it next to the travel times. It then compares the estimated emissions from that trip to other modes of transport, such as car, bus, or train, and compares it to the per capita emissions of the average American and world citizen. But don’t get discouraged – the plug-in also offers alternatives, such as links to Amtrak, Greyhound, and carpooling sites, as well as links to sites where you can purchase carbon offsets. Real Costs is a work in progress, and Mandiberg and friends are working to integrate as many travel sites as possible. Mandiberg hopes to expand Real Costs to function with car rental and shipping sites, as well.
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