A lab for research, teaching, and creative production. The Trope Tank is directed by Prof. Nick Montfort and located in the Massachusets Institute of Technology in room 14N-233.
To develop new poetic practices and new understandings of digital media by focusing on the material, formal, and historical aspects of computation and language.
In addition to the director, the researchers working in the Trope Tank space and on the Trope Tank series Purple Blurb are:
The Trope Tank hosts postdoctoral and undergraduate researchers, the monthly meetings of the People's Republic of Interactive Fiction, student visits from various classes, codefests, and other sorts of events and collaborations. The Trope Tank is also an "overflow" area and meeting space for the Electronic Literature Organization across the hall. The Purple Blurb series of presentations of digital writing, now established as an official part of MIT's Program in Writing and Humanistic Studies, originated in the modest space of the Trope Tank.
Researchers interested in computer and video games, electronic literature (including interactive fiction, hypertext fiction, and digital poetry), home computing and hobbyist programming, or related topics are welcome to contact Nick for access to the collection of materials, computers, and video game systems that is housed in the Trope Tank.
The Trope Tank, MIT
77 Massachusetts Ave, Room 14N-233
Cambridge, MA 02139
The Trope Tank is at MIT in Building 14, the same building that is the home of the Hayden Library. The room number is 14N-233; this is in the north wing on the second floor. After finding building 14, come in — the entrance on the northeast side, next to the large black steel Calder sculpture, is the closest one to the Trope Tank. Once inside, take the stairs or elevator up to the second floor. The Trope Tank is not inside the library; it is in the wing across the courtyard from it.