Occurring during a tumultuous time period in which crisis and disaster situations are affecting millions, recent developments in technology, culture, and media production have provided a dynamic space in which emerging, people-powered communication tools are rapidly evolving. Both the urgency of these upheavals and the rapid pace of internet development have led to tool creation and transformation as content producers and participants leverage incomplete systems in an attempt to accomplish their goals. The use of social software online has engaged a participatory culture. As we move towards producing participatory tools, it is critical that we reassess how we can design for holistic experiences that take into consideration the entire experience of what it is to interact with multiple tools and media, both offline and online, rather than only considering the interface design of technology.

Drawing on perspectives from Human Computer Interaction, Science and Technology Studies, and Media Studies this dissertation proposes a new framework for mediated system design. But first, to understand current strengths and limitations, I have selected the London Bombings of 7 July 2005 as a case study from which to examine in some detail the use of social software as this crisis unfolded and to assess the relative effectiveness of different types of communication.