iConji

This fascinates me. iConji is a nacient pictorial language inspired by the way that TXTing is essentially becoming symbolic LOL , ROTFLMAO CU L8R. It looks like a modern rebirth of Egyptian hieroglyphs. If you know about computer science, then you might also note that it is sort of like a P-code. In computer science, a P-code is an intermediate language that is not native to a particular architecture, nor is it something that you would choose to use as a programming language. Instead, P-code is easy to read for any particular kind of computer, and easy to produce from any particular high-level language. It provides an intermediate stage that has only a small performance-hit but with the advantage of architecture independance.

iConji fulfills a similar function. Many spoken languages could be usefully represented by select symbols, and these symbols can be usefully translated into another language. Hence you instantly have the ability to create an internationally neutral string of symbols.

Pictograms are not new of course. Obviously there are several methods of writing which use little symbols to represent objects, ideas and so on. What IS new, is that the iConji is served up for use by computer assisted end-points. At present, the iPhone, and a web application, and a Facebook app, perhaps more, and soon, perhaps many more when and if an application builder is released.

You might be wondering why I am writing this on a site dedicated to art... well, it's because they have a call for artists. See HERE.

But that's not the entire reason that I've got energised about this. The other reason is not about the symbol, but about the metadata that it carries. Once a symbol is "born", it carries with it the original artist's name, and even a little story about how it came about. This is new. It's really new, and you have a chance to get in early before the next 50,000 symbols are created. At present there are less than 2000 symbols.

If you create a symbol, then you will have the ability to track it throughout its use in the world. I find this amazing, and the possibilities for use (and misuse) over time are staggering. Here are the commercial terms.

I am not going to tell you what to download or how to use it etc, as this is easily discovered on the official site. They also have a twitter feed. (@iconji).

The one question that will obviously be asked is, "How do I cope with 50,000 or even 2,000 unique symbols?" The answer is of course that the end-points are 'computers' so each will have the ability to allow you to look up a symbol using your native language when creating and reading it.

If you like this, please comment. If you don't like it, please let me know what spOOks you, and if you get a symbol made and accepted, then I'd love to know.