Wikipedia:Pocket Packet

Essential kit for the London commuter: Oyster card, phone, and Pocket Packets

A commuter reads a Wikipedia article in Pocket Packet format whilst waiting for a train

The Pocket Packet (or PocketPacket™) is a very simple idea which encourages users of public transport to print Wikipedia articles in a particular format, for very easy consumption whilst standing or sitting on a crowded bus or train. Not really an invention, but more of a cultural phenomenon, this Wikipedia microproject, begun in 2006, aims to have commuters asking each other "What's in your PocketPacket?". It builds upon ideas about the democratisation of knowledge developed by sociologists such as Anthony Giddens and Ulrich Beck, as well as the enthusiasm for educational pamphlets fostered by anarchists and other social movements. PocketPacket is not truely a trademark, rather some people use the ™ symbol as a form of irony.

Democratisation of knowledge

A logical extension of the Wikipedia project, PocketPacket™ encourages the democratisation of knowledge. Most commuters find themselves reading random adverts, tickets, and even litter in a bid to occupy their minds. PocketPacket™ encourages people to carry with them various articles about things which are of some interest to them. Users are encouraged to think very widely about anything from the arts, sciences, history or philosophy - or anything else - which may have caught their attention at some time. Wikipedia offers articles on a diverse range of subjects, which can be simply pocketed for later consumption.

Print on demand

As consumers demand greater control over the content they access across the media, applying a 'pick and mix' ethos to consumption, so they show less willing to wade through filler material. Just as mp3 shoppers may choose to download only the best tracks from an album, print on demand technologies allow readers access to the information they were looking for in the first place, bypassing direct marketing, unreadable supplements and endless advertising. PocketPacket™ allows for quick and easy access to materials hand picked by its readers.

How to make

A PocketPacket™ is created as follows:

Go to chosen article in Wikipedia (see featured articles for ideas)
Select 'Printable Version' from the toolbox menu on the left
Print the article, but choose 'Properties' and select the option which prints two pages to one sheet
Staple in corner
Fold in four
Put in coat pocket

External links

Bricolab.com Ongoing coverage of the evolving PocketPacket project

Pocket-Packet.org The official site of the new phenomenon

The BricoWiki PocketPacket project page Your chance to contribute to the changing face of PocketPacketing.