EARTHSEE is a metaphor for the world as seen through public web cameras.

In its first incarnation EARTHSEE is a projected interactive map of the world, in which each pixel consists of a constantly updaing webcam image. A viewer navigates through the map with gestures, by moving two light sources on a clear table, in order to pan and zoom in and out. She can bring the two lights together to zoom in on any given place or pull them apart to see the entire map.

This prototype was first presented at the Interactive Telecommunications Program show, Winter 2003, NYU.

We wish to thank our teachers Luke Dubois, Dan O'Sullivan, Andrew Milmoe and our friends at ITP for their help and useful comments.