‘Intentional Design’

Climate change has increased severely, affecting agricultural systems and the availability of food produce. These consequences have developed into important issues in developed countries causing great concern on food supply for the future. A future scenario visualisation of 2050 was developed through the process of creating a quadrant resulting with the scenario of food scarcity and advanced technology availability. Throughout the research process, it was predicted that a variety of innovative strategies such as vertical farming and rooftop farming will replace agricultural systems due to climate change, thus becoming an alternate way of food production. It was visualised that these innovative strategies are supported by the availability of advanced technology, as society in 2050 will change the use of technological resources, from social connections to environmental use. This prediction of a slow living lifestyle modifies society’s lifestyle, as greater attention is offered to sustainable living

As the chosen quadrant focuses on the idea of food scarcity and advanced technology availability, a pillow prototype was designed and created as a response to environmental and food concerns. This pillow known as ‘Algae-rhythm’ is designed to enhance the idea of sustainable living, through the process of absorbing sweat, which is transformed into algae through a technological, scientific system in the transparent pillow. The produced algae are purposed for gardening and mainly eating since it contains the nutrients and protein required. Thus, this innovative pillow will guide society and reduce the concern of food production. The algae is created through the process of sweat being absorbed through the textured soybean plastic on the inner section of the pillow, which is then processed through muslin cotton fabric, micro-tubes and two larger tubes, transforming the sweat into algae. Therefore, the innovative system of the Algae-rhythm pillow demonstrates the concept of sustainable living benefiting the environment and the wearer’s lifestyle.

   

Product designer, Bui Bjarmar Adalsteinsson addresses the issue of food scarcity as he created an innovative product design known as the Fly Factory purposed to breed insect larvae for human consumption. Adalsteinsson was inspired by an article exploring the concept of society beginning to eat insects to reduce the issue of hunger and pollution. Therefore, his interest directed him into designing the Fly Factory that is demonstrated as an eco-friendly product since it does not produce waste. “The conceptual micro-factory feeds insects on food waste and recycles the nutrients they excrete as fertiliser.” (Dezeen magazine 2014) Adalsteinsson further proclaims, “The larvae are given organic waste and become rich in fat and protein, which then can be harvested for human consumption.” (Adalsteinsson 2014) The designer believes this approach is a way of directing society into changing the way we eat and produce food, and to act more sustainably and harmonize with the planet.

    

Academic Nathan Stegall explores the design aspect of the designer’s decisions of responding to environmental concerns, as he believes that ‘sustainable products’ do not act sustainably. “The idea of a “sustainable product” is misguided because the impact that any product has on the social and ecological environment depends as much on its use as on the technology it deploys.” (Stegall 2006) Through this, Stegall portrays the aspect of designers creating ‘sustainable products’, however it would not be completely sustainable as people may not return it for recycling at its end life. “…any artifact makes an argument for how people should live and what values they should hold and consciously designing products that encourage positive, constructive ways of life.” (Stegall 2006) Stegall refers to this as ‘intentional design.’ Nevertheless, Adalsteinsson follows the idea of ‘intentional design’ as he informs his product is used in an industrial environment such as restaurants instead of households. Adalasteinsson believes people may not favour growing their own food since western society is highly dependent on processed food. Thus, Adalasteinsson takes design decisions into account to ensure that the product is used sustainably until the end of its useful life.

REFERENCES

Stegall N. 2006, Designing for Sustainability: A Philosophy for Ecologically Intentional Design, Design Issues, vol. 22 , viewed 29th October 2015, <http://www.mitpressjournals.org.ezproxy.lib.uts.edu.au/doi/pdf/10.1162/desi.2006.22.2.56&gt;

Iceland Magazine 2014, ‘Icelandic Product Designer came up with a Sustainable way to Prevent Food Shortage’, viewed 29th October 2015, <http://icelandmag.visir.is/article/icelandic-product-designer-came-a-sustainable-way-prevent-food-shortage&gt;

Dozen Magazine 2014, ‘Fly Factory Produces Insect Pate that “tastes like chicken”‘, viewed 29th October 2015, <http://www.dezeen.com/2014/05/04/fly-factory-breeds-insects-for-human-consumption-and-produces-no-waste/&gt;

The Future is in Our Hands

“Sustainable architecture isn’t a prescription. It’s an approach, an attitude. It shouldn’t really even have a label. It should just be architecture.” (Maxman 2001)

As part of my primary research, I conducted an interview with architect student Shayan Athari who currently study’s at the University of Sydney Technology. Shayan offers an insight into his thoughts and opinions on the concepts of technology and the environment, and its impact on the architecture world. Technology has become a significant impact on our daily lives, as it has become a routine to involve some sort of interaction or use with technology. Shayan deepens into this concept revealing his perception of the unnecessary use of technology in architecture, as he believes advanced technology is not a necessity in the design process to express inspiration and the experimental process of architectural designs. “Computer technology only helps me realise my vision, I don’t use it as an actual vehicle to drive it.” I found his particular statement fascinating since students at UTS receive the education and have the availability of technological to enhance the aesthetics of their designs especially in architecture. Nevertheless Shayan expresses his creativity through traditional practices, which I find highly intriguing.

The rapid growth of technological advancements has negatively effected the environment through certain ways such as waste energy, consumption of non-renewable resources to make technology and disrupting ecology. However, Shayan exposes a positive outlook on technology use and its methods of improving environmental issues, specifically focusing on global warming. It is highlighted by researcher Christine Pasquire, “These challenges appear in the areas of ‘environment considerations’, ‘innovations in technology’, ‘planning and policy issues’, ‘social requirements’, ‘political forces’ and ‘economic considerations’. To respond to these macro level challenges, buildings need to change in terms of the ‘function’ they house, the ‘capacity’ to achieve the performance required for the population they hold and the ‘flow’ of reacting to internal and external environmental forces.” (Pasquire 2013) Shayan emphasises on this idea of buildings responding to environmental issues where architectural designs would result with an effective outcome to the aesthetic design and users of the building and to the environment. To gain a deeper insight, the innovative strategy of rooftop gardening was specifically questioned to understand Shayan’s thoughts of integrating this system into architectural designs. Shayan further establishes the concept of effectiveness and the reduction of wasting resources, as well as an aesthetically pleasing design would create a future of sustainability in the architecture world. As he emphasises, “There must be a balance!”

It was found in the Journal, ‘Adapting buildings’, Pasquire also proclaims the same idea Shayan expresses, “A recent consideration has been given to identify how the new building stock could be adapted to face the 21^st century challenges, which requires an understanding of the extent of changes required to the existing building stock and the lessons learnt for designing buildings to be sustainable in the future.” (Pasquire 2013)

Shayan’s perspective of architectural design integrated with a sustainable approach to prevent current environment and technology concerns from increase, interesting and exciting. Approaching a primary research by interviewing a design student revealed a distinctive view through in depth explanations and examples in relation to the design field, architecture.

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Transcript: Interview with Architect Student Shayan Athari

 So why did you choose architecture? Tell me your story

In high school I took engineering as an elective and I pretty much failed. Doing model making in the subject seemed interesting but the mathematics side just literally killed me. Oh I was terrible at math’s, but the design part I particularly enjoyed. This is why I decided to study architecture, I want to be as big as Frank Lloyd Wright!

What form of identity or aesthetic have you built as an architect student?

I’m still finding my way, so I don’t actually have an aesthetic. But the style I like is Japanese minimalist architecture such as Sou Fujimoto, I like his type of designs. I basically only like the Japanese aesthetic, the simplicity of it. For example the concept of blurriness in Japanese architecture is pretty fascinating. This type of concept involves the design aspect of how they create spaces in the idea of…how do I explain. For example imagine a room filled with tiny columns and you can’t see ahead of you because there are too many tiny columns, which creates that blurriness, the congestion of objects.

So Japanese architecture would clearly be your inspiration in most of your architectural designs

Yeah minimalism and simplicity is what I think that balances and creates a distinct architectural design outcome.

How do you envision yourself as a designer in the next 10 years?

I don’t know to be honest. I would like to be an independent architecture you know doin’ my own thang, running my own thang, engineers doing my own thang hahaha But I would like to be in Japan. But I don’t think I would reach the level of current Japanese architects because I have never studied there. But I would love to study in Japan increasing my knowledge and skill about Japanese architecture.

There are recent studies that technology advancement is a threat and has disturbed society’s lifestyle. Has the rapid growth of technology effected your design practice negatively?

Not really, when I started architecture I always used pencil and paper its like my own ‘thang’. I take my journal with me, pretty much everywhere I go and just sketch things all the time. I still use the computer it enhances augmentation. But I think that some people use it too much, for example they use algorithms to generate forms, which I dislike.

                     

Has computer technology helped shape your design field and why?

Not really, it hasn’t because I usually take inspiration from designers such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Sou Fujimoto, Kenzo Tenge, and Kisho Kurokawa. Computer technology only helps me realise my vision, I don’t use it as an actual vehicle to drive it.

Do you prefer using computer technology during your design process or do you still draw on paper?

No, pencil and paper at all times. Sometimes it feels more free! You can sketch what you want. There are no restrictions. Using a computer feels like you can only enter certain commands.

In the next 50 years do you think the artificial will replace natural aspects of society? If so, how would this change the way you approach your design process and present ideas?

No I don’t think so, I mean even if it does happen it will but its up to us if that can happen later in the future. Humans have chosen the Internet to replace human interaction, it’s really up to us. It would certainly impact the way I design, I place a lot of emphasis on design, it would impact me on a personal and professional level. The thing is I would be the last person who would go against the idea of technology replacing certain ways of approaching the design process. But if it does take over I would still do my own thing, head strong, still carry my journal around and sketch as much as I like, and produce designs using pencil and paper with patriotic music playing in the background and that’s it hahaha im not giving up…

How can architecture participate in acting sustainable to improve environmental concerns and develop a better future?

First of all, Jesus Christ man the concept of orientation is the most important aspect of architecture, so make sure you orientate your building carefully. Every building has to have the smart use of materials. Its not suppose to look ‘cool’, it needs to be recyclable. There are buildings in Japan that get torn down and recycled even though they are known to be important buildings. Another important thing is materiality and the context of the built environment. You have to take note of these two aspects before making any design decisions, because once you do consider those aspects then you can make informed decisions on how your building will react to its context and how its context reacts to the building.

How would you as a designer approach sustainability in your design practice in 10 years time?

I don’t know to be honest, the thing is climate change is a big factor, the planet is warming up so whatever we build even in a few years time, it has to account to that and respond to that in a very direct way. Climate change is such a big factor it changes our lives in general. I currently work in a nursing home and there is a lot of food waste, maybe architecture can help minimize the issue of food waste. Because you cook food and there is a lot of energy used, which also turns into waste energy, so I think there should be systems implanted to reduce food waste, energy waste and the effect of climate change somehow. The simple way of doing this like I said is orientation and the colour of the materials. Painting a building using darker colours will absorb too much heat from the sun. Although a climate where it is cold would be fine like Norway, however in Australia a black building wouldn’t make sense. I think we need to take that aspect of liking dark buildings out of our dictionary and respond more sustainably.

One of the main issues I have come across during my research is the issue of agricultural strategies disturbed by the increase of global warming. Farmers are finding it difficult to adapt to the effects of climate change, thus a preparation of innovative strategies have commenced to avoid the possibility of food shortage in the future. One of these agricultural strategies include rooftop gardening. What is your opinion about this innovation integrated into the architectural design such as the building at One Central Park on Broadway?

It works in central park because it looks ‘cool’, it doesn’t involve the act of people, they don’t climb and get food from it. But if an actual building provides food in that manner such as an office or apartment building it would have to be effective, this would include effective methods of farming the food within that building as well as an effective office building in general. If you can’t do both perfectly well then you shouldn’t do it, you wouldn’t result with a good building or farming strategy. So you would be wasting resources on both.

What is your prediction on the style of architecture in the future since rooftop gardening is beginning to take part in architectural design?

Hmmm.. I think it would be awesome, I really like that idea of rooftop gardening but only if its 100% effective and very sustainable and productive. It shouldn’t waste more food that what is happening now. It needs to be perfectly balanced. My prediction is that aesthetically it will look minimalist. In terms of performance it would be to a very high standard responding to the environment in a very structured manner. In the future we would have the calculation of food waste and would be able to respond to the issues more effectively through the design of architecture. But yeah aesthetically, minimalism would be my prediction of architectural forms.

REFERENCES:

Guy S. & Farmer G. 2001, ‘Reinterpreting Sustainable Architecture: The Place of Technology’, Journal of Architectural Education, vol. 54, viewed 29^th October 2015, <http://www.tandfonline.com.ezproxy.lib.uts.edu.au/doi/pdf/10.1162/10464880152632451&gt;

Manewa A. & Pasquire C. 2013, Adapting Buildings: Striving Towards a Sustainable Future, online article, viewed 29^th October 2015, <http://global-cities.info/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Adaptable-Buildings-Striving-Towards-a-Sustainable-Future1.pdf&gt;

Newest Trend: Digital Human Interaction

Technology has commonly been perceived as a negative impact on society’s lifestyle by changing and disturbing the traditional practices of human interaction. “The internet has been blamed for disconnecting people from local, family interaction, drawing them into online relationships with people of unknown and unconfirmed identity.” (Haythornthwaite 2011) Thus, the use of internet connectivity has caused the disconnection of face to face human interaction.

Is there a possibility that the increased use of the internet will lead to the loss of humanity forever? Or will the natural way of socialising relinquish?

As technology seems to dominate society’s lifestyle, it in fact plays a significant role within society resulting with positive outcomes. Technology is not all evil, it has shaped society into an improved and enhanced lifestyle, allowing us to have the advantage of connecting with relatives, friends or other people for different purposes. The internet involves a wide range of networks such as chat rooms, email and websites to create a connection. Common Internet accessibility includes facebook, skype, blogs and twitter. These enhancements have directed society into a world where technology is beneficial to our advanced world.

The film Blade Runner directed by Ridley Scott (1982), demonstrates the idea of a predicted futuristic world where technological advancements has dominated society. A technological invasion is immediately exposed in the opening scene of the film, however, the film presents an eerie, dark and polluted atmosphere that offers a negative view of the future.

Throughout the film all characters expose a sense of loneliness and isolation. This is specifically identified through the character JF Sebastian, “You must get lonely here, JF.” It is portrayed in the conversation between JF Sebastian and Paris, that the increase of technological use has taken control of society’s lifestyle leading to the lack of humanity, as JF Sebastian is unable to communicate with humans. This concept is further emphasised through the dark atmosphere of the enormous abandoned building he appears to live in, as he replaces friendship with humans, with the toys he creates. Therefore, it is identified that society within the Blade Runner world has abused the use of technology, where bad consequences become imminent involving the separation between natural human interaction and connectivity.

While analysing the film, I was able to comprehend that as technology becomes more advanced, the natural way of living and natural objects are replaced with the artificial. The entire film creates a dark and solitary atmosphere due to the never-ending darkness presented in each scene. The significant quotes, scenes and atmosphere of the film offers the viewer an alternate perception of a predicted world, communicating the theme of humanity versus artificial. This represents the idea of human interaction being replaced with the artificial use of ‘technology’ as a source of connection. Although, the film explores the dark side of technology, I desire to focus more on the positive aspects of human interaction through technology connectivity, where our future may evolve into a more connective world without feelings of loneliness and isolation.

The internet is currently an innovative source of connection used in different fields, from households to the workplace. As technology continues to develop rapidly, how will it remain as a positive tool in the future?

Academic Caroline Haythornthwaite explores the concept of internet connectivity creating stronger ties to allow communication between people, as this medium is widely used.

“The Internet is a technical means of connecting people. It provides an easy way for individuals as well as groups and organisations to adopt peer-to-peer communication. Weak ties can emerge based on interest, common need, or commercial enterprise, such as scholarly networks among academics; social and medical support groups.” (Haythornthwaite 2011)

Artist Amar Bakshi takes connectivity to a new level as he created a global art project ‘Portals’, to connect people by entering one of the portals in a certain area such as New York or Tehran and begin the process of human interaction. Bakshi created a series of portals with built audio and video technology, allowing viewers to live video chat for twenty minutes with any individual located with its sister portal. “This project is about connecting people from all walks of life in direct dialogue about day-to-day life—what makes a day in Tehran or the U.S.? In Accra or Beijing? What we hope to achieve is to link cities around the world into an expanding network.” (Bakshi 2015) This project is a new mode of communication where communities are able to share and tell their surroundings.

In the video below Bakshi informs his innovative way of connectivity and includes people’s responses of their experience using this system, which I found extremely fascinating.

Technology is often perceived as an interruption of human interaction, where the natural feelings involved in a discussion is lost. However, innovative technology has only expanded the way connection is created, acting as an alternative of connecting with people around the world.

REFERENCES

Hampton N. K., Livio O., Goulet S. L. 2010, The Social Life of Wireless Urban Spaces: Internet Use, Social Networks, and the Public Realm, Journal of Communication, vol 60, no.4, pp. 701-722, viewed 26 October 2015, <http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com.ezproxy.lib.uts.edu.au/doi/10.1111/j.1460-2466.2010.01510.x/full#ss3&gt;

Haythornthwaite C. 2011, Social Networks and Internet Connectivity, Information, Communication & Society, vol. 8, no. 2, pp.126-142, viewed 26 October 2015, <http://www.tandfonline.com.ezproxy.lib.uts.edu.au/doi/pdf/10.1080/13691180500146185&gt;

Jesionka N. 2015, How a Shipping Container Can Connect You to Anyone in the World, viewed 26 October 2015, <https://www.themuse.com/advice/how-a-shipping-container-can-connect-you-to-anyone-in-the-world&gt;

Shared_Studios 2015, Talk to Distant Strangers Through Portals, video recording, Youtube, viewed 26 October 2015, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thO3i1gi7Dk&gt;

Songs4K 2015, Blade Runner: JF Sebastian’s Toys, Kaiser and Bear, film, Youtube, viewed 26 October 2015, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLPpXNhL9z8&gt;

Quackenbush C. 2015, These Artist-Designed ‘Portals’ are Connecting People Across the World, Observer Culture, viewed 26 October 2015, <http://observer.com/2015/06/these-artist-designed-portals-are-connecting-people-across-the-world/&gt;

Futuring: Climate Change and its affect on Agriculture

The gradual increase of climate change continues to effect and transform life on earth, foreshadowing a future of food shortage and a reduction in advanced technology activity that will become existing issues. Current concerns of climate change affecting the natural cycle of seasons, weather temperatures and sea levels rising, are altering lands and waters disturbing the growth of food supply. Such environmental concerns are also affecting economic factors in relation to international trade due to population expansion. Climate change is disrupting and disordering human society, which may lead a future of desertification.

Following from Angela’s post on ‘A Social Future’, the effects of man-made climate change have become evident, in which these effects will dramatically worsen further into the future. Climate change has increased a vast amount of stress onto natural and human systems causing a rise in temperatures and heat waves, which disturbs the productivity of agriculture. These weather changes have threatened Australia’s agricultural production due to the consistent occurrence of droughts creating the issue of water shortages. Inadequate water supply restricts farmers from watering crops, thus reducing the process of food production to supply for the rapid growing population. It has been predicted that “Climate change is expected to reduce production of the major Australian agriculture commodities including wheat, beef, dairy and production by 9-10% by 2030 and 13-19% by 2050 and would have significant implications for international agricultural trade.” (Ward 2013) These statistics are expected, due to the constant damage of farmland caused by weather changes and the rising levels of carbon dioxide creating the issue of vulnerability of food supplies. Environmental changes have restricted farmer’s ability of agricultural activities, where climate change has ultimately become a negative effect, as according to pioneer Bill Cline, “Climate change will cut Australia’s farm productivity by 27%.” (Ward 2013) Through this society’s lifestyle will alter in the future due to arising threats.

The chart above demonstrates the rise in temperature over the Australian continent from 1910 to 2010.

Will climate change forever threaten our world causing food shortages and extreme worries amongst society? The threats of climate change are becoming more aware by farmers, where they have gained interest in discovering alternative ways of adapting to potential impacts. To avoid challenges in the future, research process have been undertaken by government organizations to develop innovative strategies enhancing a sustainable approach of food production through new farming systems and technologies. Such strategies involve sustainable cropping, grazing systems and climate-change adapted drought ready strategies. This approach has been conducted by the Future Farm Industries CRC Australian organization through their research and education programs, “Future Farm Industries CRC knows agriculture must be innovative in how it responds to the challenges presented by climate change.” (Future Farm Industries CRC 2014) Other approaches of mitigating emissions of N20 from agricultural soils to minimize concentrations of inorganic nitrogen, involve improved fertilizer nitrogen applications to plant demand, biological nitrogen fixation to enhance soil nitrogen status and application of inhibitors to reduce rates of formation and transformation of soil ammonium. These new strategies will improve future preparations to reduce the issue of climate change effecting agricultural systems, thus there will be greater management on current food production variability with sound agronomy.

As advanced technology continues to develop, a preparation of innovative strategies would be available for farmers to adapt to the effects of climate change, thus mitigating concerns on food shortage in the future. The innovation of indoor farming is a new strategy of agriculture activity through a sustainable approach. “Urban agriculture has the potential to become so pervasive within our cities that by the year 2050 they may be able to provide its citizens with up to 50% of the food they consume.” (Despommier 2013) As climate change has effected weather seasons, indoor commercial farms use LED grow lights designed to their specific crops, since different plant types require different light needs. According to the organization Green Sense Farms, the approach of innovative farming uses eighty-five percent less energy, thus increasing crop yields and reducing operating costs. This increases food security as locally grown, fresh vegetables are provided for consumers. This new strategy of food production enables a regain of ecological functions to the ecosystem that were fragmented, creating a healthy planet for society.

Climate change has interfered with the natural system of the environment, which disturbs agriculture activity. Current extreme weather patterns have destroyed crops and farming land, resulting with consumers becoming more conscious of the production of food. This developed a scenario visualisation of 2050, focusing on a world that involves a sustainable lifestyle through the innovative of new farming technologies that involves LED lighting designed for specific crops. This will eliminate the slow process of agriculture systems where concerns of food shortages will no longer exist. The focus of technology use on farming systems will allow communities to gradually grow closer without technological interaction, thus social technology will transform into sustainable technology. This predicted future world explores positivity in living a healthy lifestyle, where major current issues of climate change are reduced as communities will work together to create a healthy planet.

REFERENCES:

Baldock A. J, Wheeler I, Mckenzie N, McBrateny A 2011, Soils and climate change: potential impacts on carbon stocks and greenhouse gas emissions, and future research for Australian agriculture, plant sceinces, sustainable farming systems and food quality, vol 63, viewed 7 September 2015, <http://www.publish.csiro.au.ezproxy.lib.uts.edu.au/view/journals/dsp_journal_fulltext.cfm?nid=40&f=CP11170&gt;

Despommier D 2013, Can city farms feed a hungry world?, viewed 7 September 2015, < http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20130603-city-farms-to-feed-a-hungry-world>

ENP Newswire 2014, Philips and Green Sense Farms usher in new era of indoor farming with LED ‘light recipes’ that help optimize crop yield and quality, GALE Expanded Academic ASAP, viewed 9 September 2015,<http://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy.lib.uts.edu.au/ps/i.do?&id=GALE%7CA380577006&v=2.1&u=uts&it=r&p=EAIM&sw=w>

Future Farm Industries CRC 2014, Climate Change, viewed 7 September 2015, <http://www.futurefarmonline.com.au/about/climatechange.htm&gt;

Hayman P, Rickards L, Eckard R & Lemerle D 2012, Climate change through the farming systems lens: challenges and opportunities for farming in Australia, online article, Crop & Pasture Science, viewed 8 September 2015, <http://www.publish.csiro.au.ezproxy.lib.uts.edu.au/view/journals/dsp_journal_fulltext.cfm?nid=40&f=CP11196>

News 2015, CSIRO, BOM research shows how climate change will affect Australia, viewed 7 September 2015, < http://www.news.com.au/technology/environment/csiro-bom-research-shows-how-climate-change-will-affect-australia/story-fnjwvztl-1227199465014>

Steffen W, Sims J, Walcott J & Laughlin G 2011, Australian agriculture: coping with dangerous climate change, Journal of online Regional Environmental Change, vol. 11, viewed 8 September 2015, <http://link.springer.com.ezproxy.lib.uts.edu.au/article/10.1007/s10113-010-0178-5/fulltext.html>

Ward J, Qureshi M. Q & Hanjra A. M 2013, Impact of water scarcity in Australia on global security in an era of climate change, Journal of Food Policy, vol. 38, viewed 7 September 2015, <http://www.sciencedirect.com.ezproxy.lib.uts.edu.au/science/article/pii/S0306919212001170&gt;

Big Data Our Own Worst Enemy

The classification of citizenship and social life are shifting the twenty first century into a digital age, where the limitation between living a private and public life is rapidly changing. This has led the world into an evolution of constant publication and storage of personal information, allowing governments and other third parties to gain access. This is referred to the term ‘big data’. The increase of technological advances such as digital devices, online banking and retail transactions, involve the process of recording and communicating the history of the user, allowing big data to dominate society’s way of living. The system of surveillance and accessing large quantities of stored data are known as the government’s approach of investigating threats or other significant uses. But how much is too much?

As large quantities of data are frequently stored, third parties also come into play gaining access to all private information and use this information as a tool of exploitation. However, individuals are unaware of the exposure and usage of their personal information, which causes concern amongst society. This concern also applies to government organizations, since surveillance continuously grows dominating society’s lifestyle.

Are we no longer a complete possession of ourselves?

Will privacy no longer exist in our high-tech world, where soon our private lives will become transparent?

An interview ‘Future Tense’ addresses this concern with interviewee Professor Michael Fraser. Fraser emphasises on the intensive surveillance of society without the individual’s warrant or knowledge, “So I think as a community we have to look at our rights as citizens and our dignity as human beings that we are being reduced to objects of surveillance”. (Fraser 2014) This notion is further emphasised by Artist Jakub Geltner demonstrates this domination of surveillance through his art installation ‘Nest 05’ for the 2015 edition of Sculture by the Sea in Aarhus, Denmark. Geltner focuses on the growing presence of surveillance cameras allowing viewers to decide if this presence is desirable. More than a dozen security cameras are placed on the edges of ocean rocks, where each lens are positioned in a different direction surrounding the environment. This creates the atmosphere of a strange and eerie interruption of the natural landscape, thus exemplifying the idea that the feeling ‘safe’ is subverted within a place purposed for solitude and retreat.

Nest 05 by Jakub Geltner 2015

Close up view of installation

From this example, it is identified that surveillance is the government’s powerful tool collecting and accessing psychographic data. Such data include attitudes, values, interests and lifestyle data, as well as tracking website activity, searches, physical location and social media postings. However, this stored data enters a greater concern of exposure due to the lack of control and management. Media historian Lisa Gitelman highlights this issue exemplifying the idea that, “the solution lies in the adoption of a certain care in the management of one’s online interactions, practices of selective disclosure, and revelation in order to limit uncontrollable information flows through individual choice.” (Gitelman 2013) An incident of exposure and exploitation by hackers, occurred on the Australian government website storing all private records of Australian citizen’s doctor visits, prescription drugs, childcare and welfare payments. Security researcher Nik Cubrilovic demonstrated an attack of the website to support his argument of the easy procedure of hacking the website. “The fact that Nik was able to demonstrate a basic attack that could allow an attacker to access the victim’s account is evidence that the data is anything but ‘safe’.” (Cubrilovic 2014)

Hackers’ access to E-health records, including prescription drugs through the my.gove.au website

Surveillance is essentially a necessary tool the government needs to protect society from threats and other crimes, however limitations and management has become a main concern as exposure of stored data by third parties such as hackers are a common threat. “A new survey by the Australian Institute of criminology (AIC) shows 1 in 5 Australians have had their personal information misused.” (news.com.au 2014) Nevertheless, the governments authority of accessing sensitive information has led to the concern of the government taking advantage of their authority using surveillance cameras and other devices, that invades privacy harming society instead of allowing a sense of safety and control.

It is clear that privacy has become limited where users are unable to identify who has access to their stored, or how their stored data is used. The increase of technological advances and the process of big data, has changed the world from sensitive data being scarce, hard to collect and difficult to analyse, to a world where all information is exposed and used as a tool of extreme surveillance and exploitation.

REFERENCES:

ABC 2013, Attaching a Property Right to your Data, viewed 27 August 2015, <http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/futuretense/attaching-a-property-right-to-your-data/5313150&gt;

Bischoff B 2015, A Flock of Surveillance Cameras “Nests” on the Beach, viewed 27 August 2015, <http://thecreatorsproject.vice.com/blog/a-flock-of-surveillance-cameras-nests-on-the-beach&gt;

Future Tense 2014, Social Media, Data and Property Rights, UTS Online Subject 85202, reading, UTS, Sydney, Viewed 27 August 2015, <http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/futuretense/social-media-data-and-property-rights/5312518&gt;

Gitelman L 2012, “Raw Data” Is an Oxymoron, UTS Online Subject 85202, reading, UTS, Sydney, Viewed 27 August 2015, < https://www-lib-uts-edu-au.ezproxy.lib.uts.edu.au/drr/37386/85202_RaleyDataveillance.pdf&gt;

News.com.au 2014, Online Hacking, online article, viewed 27 August 2015, <http://www.news.com.au/technology/online/in-5-australians-have-been-victims-of-identity-crime-with-computer-hacking-online-banking-and-shopping-to-blame/story-fnjwnj25-1226914911024&gt;

Schiff M 2014, Personal Data Collection: Privacy Concerns May Degrade Data Quality, viewed 27 August 2015, <https://tdwi.org/articles/2014/07/15/privacy-concerns-may-degrade-data-quality.aspx>

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Group Activity Quadrant-Scenario 1

As a beginning stage of exploring the idea of contemplating about the future as a designer and reacting to rapid changes of the world through design thinking, an approach of generating ideas and predictions of the future was undertaken as part of a group activity. Thus, a quadrant based on food and technology was developed, in which a scenario was then assigned to each group member to generate ideas and represent through collage.

Scenario: Technology Utopia and Food Shortage

Developed Ideas:

-Stem cell grown food/test tube food
-Systems to grow food quickly
-Pill form food and soylent green
-3D printed food
-Aim technology towards a more sustainable path
-Prediction of future in relation to the community: As the issue of food scarcity will affect every individual, society will gradually grow closer as a community to enhance their lifestyle and solve the issue through new ways of using the available advanced technology
-Issues may arise with the economy due to the money required to produce innovative technology to try and reduce the effect of food scarcity
-Scientific culture and cultivation around food
-The hydroponic system are commonplace to allow people to grow their own vegetables in water (recycled water) without the need of soil-this system would be available within every household
-A formula that can duplicate food

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The ideas developed led to the formation of a collage (presented above), representing the transformation of the present to the future. The collage explores the concept of the world becoming a technologically driven society, controlling the lifestyle of each individual. Due to food scarcity, the availability of advance technology is society’s solution of producing food, however this approach leads the future into a dark world where great concern of food shortage haunts amongst society. This effect forces society to grow closer as a community in order to build a sustainable world and solve the issue of food scarcity through the production of innovative technology.