Early users of ETChster will have noted the platform initially used “The Story of Your Stuff” as its motto but replaced that with “The Encyclopedia of Objects” in early 2018. As there were a number of reasons steering in the same direction, this decision came naturally.
“Stuff” doesn’t do justice to these incredible items
ETChster was designed to give you the ability to create a permanent record of objects of significance. Be it for decades or centuries, these records are intended to last as long as the physical items they represent. “Stuff” sounded too disposable, too Ikea. Collecting stories, placing objects on a public map, and transferring ownership are actions to showcase unique objects, items that are more than the mundane. Early adopters of the platform include artists, collectors, and museums using Etchings to organize their treasured possessions.
An encyclopedia puts information in context
ETChster doesn’t capture information about an object as if it were an isolated island; it captures the entire ecosystem connected to the island. Like islands are connected by oceans, objects are connected by people:
- Objects connect to their creator’s public profile, which includes other creations in context, links to websites and artists’ social media, and a map of their public items. If you come across an object, its creator is a click away.
- Objects connect to their owner’s public profile, which includes their collection. Depending on the owner’s setup, collections may contain objects from similar periods or locations and their context. Collections may also link to the owner’s website, social media, and their items on public display.
An encyclopedia makes it easy to find information
Traditional encyclopedias are arranged alphabetically. Wikipedia and its curators have done a phenomenal job of creating an easily searchable digital database. ETChster uses ETC numbers to identify physical objects and link them to a cloud-based database. Searching by the ETC number reveals the object’s public record and context instantly.
The Encyclopedia of Objects needed to be created
You can instantly find ample information on even the most obscure cast member of Game of Thrones, but what about members of their special effects team? Indeed the level of public recognition is similarly unbalanced between actors/athletes and other artists who arguably possess far more talent and creativity. Some creators now have Wikipedia articles that showcase one or two of their notable works. But those rarely tell the readers about the story of the artist and the full breadth of their work. Moreover, the articles providing the most complete information tend to be reserved for artists that are either in the limelight or deceased.
All of that said, the team is proud to display a motto that more accurately speaks to what you’ll find in the ETChster community: incredible objects with context and their connections.
