Accumulation: A Mirage of Progress
Imagine a minimalist workspace—a pristine desk, a single laptop, a small plant to complete the tableau. It’s serene, efficient, and modern. Yet, behind this simplicity lies a sprawling network of data centers consuming vast amounts of energy, hidden from view. This duality invites a deeper reflection: is our pursuit of minimalism or efficiency merely cosmetic, masking the enormous systems that sustain our digital lives? Progress in the digital age is often measured by accumulation—more data, faster technologies—but this perspective overlooks the need for sustainable and equitable infrastructures. True progress requires confronting these hidden systems and redesigning them with the environment and societal well-being in mind.
Source: Photo generated with IA by Daniela Rodriguez Mattos
Technology: A Double-Edged Sword
In the digital landscape, technology often stands at a crossroads between oppression and opportunity. Picture a world where subscription-based platforms gatekeep knowledge and innovation, perpetuating inequality. Yet, this same technology, if reimagined, can dismantle barriers, amplify equity, and foster inclusivity. I asked myself: is this what Tesla imagined when he dreamed of a world driven by innovation and free energy for all? The irony lies in how we often use groundbreaking technologies not to liberate but to entrench systems of profit and exclusivity. This tension reminds us that how we design, deploy, and govern technology determines its impact. Equity is not a byproduct of technological advancement—it is an intentional outcome that emerges when we question dominant narratives and insist on ethical practices.
Source: Nikola Tesla, with his equipment
Obsolescence: Breaking the Hamster Wheel
The rhythm of modern digital culture feels like running in a hamster wheel. We deplete and recharge, only to repeat the cycle endlessly. This culture of planned obsolescence feeds on consumption, valuing replacement over repair. Imagine stepping off this wheel—adopting regenerative practices that prioritize longevity and renewal over constant upgrades. It’s not just about slowing down but rethinking time itself, aligning with cycles that respect both human and planetary boundaries.
Source: This Photograph is My Proof | CMOA Collection, Duane Michals, 1967
Designing for Symbiosis
Now, envision a design approach where humans are no longer at the center of the story but part of a larger ecosystem. In this interconnected world, the boundaries between technology, nature, and society blur, demanding solutions that respect the physical realities of our shared planet. Progress isn’t about dominance over nature or endless consumption—it’s about symbiosis. By designing with ecosystems in mind, we can create technologies that thrive within planetary boundaries, ensuring harmony rather than conflict.
Proto Video
The year 2050 sees a hyperconnected world where identity has been eroded, replaced by digital profiles optimized but hollow. Our class video explores this crisis through a dystopian narrative of fragmented individuality overshadowed by algorithmic control. A turning point comes when the protagonist discovers an old photograph, sparking a journey to reclaim lost traditions, languages, and stories. Through a “rescue network” blending digital and physical spaces, fragments of identity are pieced together, creating a mosaic of shared memory. The story ends with a vision of harmony, where technology enriches humanity rather than erasing it, celebrating identity as a collective tapestry.
Final Project for Digital Culture class
Video created by Josefina Ovalle, Joshua Niyogakiza, Daniela Rodriguez Mattos
Proto Products from BIZARRE BAZAR
The year is 2050, a time when memories are more than fragments in your mind—they’re experiences you can re-live, shape, and even share. In a world bustling with advanced AI and neurotechnology, Timeless Camera and the Memory Shots has revolutionized how humans connect with their past and one another, It’s not just a device—it’s an experience, a way to encapsulate every moment in its purest, most sensory-rich form.
Timeless Camera “Timeless Camera: Capture Life, Relive Eternity.”
The Timeless Camera is a sleek, wearable device no larger than a pendant. Always on, it silently records your life—not just visually but holistically:
Colors and Movement: It captures the world in stunning, hyper-realistic detail.
Sounds and Voices: The laughter of a friend, the hum of a city, or the rustle of trees.
Scents and Flavors: The aroma of a fresh-baked pie, the salty breeze of the ocean, or the sweet tang of wine on a summer night.
Emotions and Sensations: A warm hug, the thrill of a rollercoaster, or the quiet peace of a starlit sky.
All of these are distilled into a memory essence, an elegant vial of liquid that holds not just data, but a sensory experience.
Memory Shots “Memory Shot: Taste the Past, Share the Feeling, Live the Moment.”
Is Liquid drink, that you can Activate the Past with Precision but only for 30 minutes.
Each Memory Shot is paired with an AI-driven neural chip that interfaces directly with your brain. As you take a sip, you set the parameters:
Time-Lock Your Experience: Relive the memory in its full vividness for a few seconds or minutes.
Choose the Memory: Recall that first love, a triumphant moment, or a peaceful walk on a beach. Your neural chip syncs instantly, pulling the desired memory from your subconscious.
Enhance the Mood: Want to re-experience it as joyful, reflective, or thrilling? Tune the mood for a heightened emotional resonance.
