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Whether it's a marathon, a mountain, or a massive IA challenge, I'm always at my best while on a quest. So, I've decided to write a book. Again.

This book -- Intertwingled -- is about designing information systems, and understanding the nature of information in systems. It's about strange loops and invisible links at the crossroads of information architecture and systems thinking. It's about the complex relationship between strategy and structure.

In my work, conversations about a new feature or better interface offer rich lessons in connectedness. How will it work on mobile? Will this fly in our CMS? What about SEO? Who is responsible? How do we measure success?

When Ted Nelson wrote in 1974 that "everything is deeply intertwingled" he was inspired by hypertext and the non-sequential structure of ideas. I hope to build from there by following the links all the way from code to culture.

Writing about the intertwingling of pace layers will not be easy, and to make things even harder, I've decided to self-publish this book. I have nothing but good things to say about O'Reilly Media. I simply want to try something new.

The book will be published in print and digital formats in 2014. I make this public commitment trusting that you will hold my feet to the fire. Writing is a lonely quest, but I know I won't be alone. On the journey, I will seek out my collaborators. Eventually, hopefully, happily, I will find my readers.

Until then, I must rely upon my passion and perseverance, and upon your engagement and encouragement. So, if you have a question or a suggestion or a kind word, now would be a great time to let me know. Thanks!

My wife (a librarian) loves to tell me that I'm not a real librarian. And she's right. While I do have the degree, I've never served as a librarian. But, I do care a whole awful lot about the future of libraries and their impact upon our schools and society, which is why I wrote the following two articles.

Architects of Learning

It's a tough time to be a teacher. The bureaucracy is stifling. The politics are worse. And, the irresistible force of disruptive innovation has come to school. Everywhere you look, entrepreneurs sell silver bullets that will save our kids from the assembly line. Some teachers quit. That's understandable but sad, because while the system must change and technology will prove transformative, when the dust settles, teachers will continue to serve ...

Inspiration Architecture

The library in 2020 is the last bastion of truth. Sure, you can search yottabytes of free data by simply batting an eyelash. But it's dangerous to believe what you see through the iGlass lens. As you learned the hard way back in the Facebook era, if you're not paying for it, you are the product. That research study about the safety and efficacy of Lipitor Lollipops™ was sponsored by ...

I'm not sure what's next. These articles may be tiny seeds for a big book, or not. For now, I'm happy to have these ideas out there, and I look forward to talking about them at some upcoming conferences. See you on the road!

Strange Connections

This year's World IA Day is in 15 cities, including Ann Arbor.

Understanding IA has over 100,000 views. Thanks for spreading the word!

In myriad ways, writing is a gift. It's a gift to have the education and talent necessary to write well. It's a gift that's invaluable in social, scholarly, and professional pursuits. And, writing creates a gift you can give. When you write an article, a book, or simply a tweet, you send a bit of yourself out into the world, where it might inform or inspire someone you've never met.

Mostly, you never know who is touched by your words. But once in a while, someone writes back. For example, I wrote Architects of Learning and soon after received this response:

Dear Peter,

I received your article the very hour I was pondering if/how to incorporate "after-school programming" into my daughter's Montessori school using the curriculum provided by codecademy.com. The point that propelled me is "We can't wait to be invited. We must crash the party." I'm meeting with my daughter's school today and expect the program will be approved. If it isn't, I'll keep trying. Thank you for the thought-provoking and inspirational article.

Sincerely, Jennifer Michaels

Later that same day, I received this follow-up:

Good news! I got approval to offer the program at the Montessori school. I'll probably start with programs like Scratch and Alice for the younger kids (I didn't even know about them until the kind people at Codecademy suggested them as options).

I also spend time with kids in foster care group homes and plan to introduce programming at a basic, fun level. Maybe one or more kids will feel inspired and confident enough to pursue technology as an area of study or profession. Foster kids need all the inspiration and chances they can get.

Sincerely, Jennifer Michaels

These messages made my day. So, thank you Jennifer, for teaching, and for telling me that my words made a difference. And, thanks to everyone who pays it forward by giving the gift of writing back. As I writer, I can tell you with absolute conviction that your words make a difference too!

Strange Connections

A glimpse of what it's like to be a teacher. Claudia, our 11 year old daughter, can quote this word for word, and she gets the voices just right.

Thanks to everyone who's working to make the second annual World IA Day a big success. I look forward to seeing some of you in Ann Arbor.