Workshop description: “Impulse response” refers to a means of sounding out the properties of an unknown system by sending a known signal into it. In this workshop, participants will design strategies, products, or other interventions that apply this idea to the systems around them. As increasing aspects of our lives are mediated by algorithmic systems, we adapt our behavior according to our understanding of how these systems sense, track, and analyze what we do.

As algorithmic systems become more ubiquitous and impactful, what behaviors and strategies emerge to optimize, control, obscure, or otherwise manipulate the data that we emit? How do those new behaviors change relationships amongst individuals, groups, and institutions?

Workshop outcomes: Read the feedback on the New York Times R&D lab blog and get more content on the Storify page of the workshop. Oh, and there is also a great short audio recap with Noah Feehan on Soundcloud.