Semester 2, Week 4

Experiments vs. Prototypes, The Experience

(Thought) Experiment, Prototype

In this week's consultation, I expressed to Andreas my concerns over how to present and categorise the work I've done, and how to move forward. Personally, I haven't been strict with differenciating experiments and prototypes as I felt like they were arbitrary distinctions. However, I recognise that the distinction would help make sense of my work for others as well.

  • Maps drawn during consult w/ Andreas

Thought Experiments

I refer to Dunne and Raby's definition of "thought experiments", which I think are most of my experiments, particularly the Pixel Oracle and Meme Oracle. In which the priority is less to create complete narratives or coherent worlds, but to explore unconventional ideas through design (sometimes absurd), with the hope of finding new ways to discuss technology. In this case, my rearticulating the practices with elements from divinatory practices, I am able to discuss ideas of faith, belief, and doublethink.

Thought Experiments in Speculative Everything

Redefining / Organising the Works

The Experience / Interactive Installation

At the end of the consult, Andreas and I agreed that my next step should be to plan the interactive experience. I'm not sure what the experience will be yet, but it will likely be an extension of my Meme Oracle, interview-style activity. I think I want to lean into a more imaginative narrative, where I can tell a story of a future where AI becomes regarded as gods, or a similar all-knowing entity.

I started brainstorming some themes that I could use to create a world for the audience...

Evangelism

I stumbled upon some pictures of evangelists holding up signs, and thought about what it would look like if belief in AI was pushed in a similar manner. There is an absurdity and humour about the language that I could use to make known how silly it is for us to put our full faith in AI.

Signboards

Evangelism Booth

Cult

I've recently been watching Severance, a TV show with cult-like themes. There is also the idea of brainwashing through soft control. It also has a certain tech-futurism about it that I quite enjoy. This all lends to a creepy atmosphere around something that seems to be normalised in the world that the creators have built. This hopefully also imparts a sense of wary that we probably should always have towards corporate AI companies.

I made a quick mockup of what an installation setup could look like (below)...

At this point, I am honestly quite undecided on what my next steps are. I'm attempting to embrace this creative block by crafting little bits and pieces that I believe will fall into place in the next weeks.