THE NEXT EVOLUTION Influencing the interior - Thomas Galvan - Piet Zwart Institute
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THE NEXT
EVOLUTION
Influencing the interior
Thomas Galvan
1
THE NEXT EVOLUTION Influencing the interior Thomas Galvan Master Interior Architecture: Research + Design Piet Zwart Institute Willem de Kooning Academie Hogeschool Rotterdam Rotterdam 2018 Thesis Supervisors: Marta M Roy Torrecilla Füsun Türetken Max Bruinsma
Imprint © The Next Evolution 2018 All rights reserved No part of this book may be reproduced or stored in any written, electronic, recording, or photocopying form without a prior written permission of the author. Thomas Galvan thomasgalvan1991@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
MOTIVATION
RESEARCH QUESTION
METHODOLOGY
1. THE EVOLUTION OF THE HUMAN BODY
CON 2. TRANSHUMANISM
TEN
2.1 THE THEORIES OF TRANSHUMANISM
2.2 BODY AUGMENTATION
2.3 THOUGHT AND BEHAVIOR ENHANCEMENT
TS
2.4 PRIMO 3M+
3. THE RISE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
3.1 INFLUENCING
3.2 DATA MINING AND PERSONALIZATION
4. INFLUENCING THE INTERIOR
4.1 REALITY
4.2 AUGMENTED REALITY
4.3 VIRTUAL REALITY
4.4 THE NEXT EVOLUTION - THE STORY
CONCLUSION
REFERENCES:
REFERENCES LIST
BIBLIOGRAPHY
VISUAL REFERENCES
8 9
My speculative scenario
explores the potential
future relation between
human and machine, using
social media as a tool to
present it. Transhumanism
argues that the human
species has not yet reached
ABS
its final evolution, and
that artificial enhancement
TRA
of the human body and mind
will help mankind to reach
a new evolutionary stage.
CT The aim of this paper is
to explore the current and
prospective developments
of the technology
that facilitate such
enhancement, embedded
in the transhumanism
theories, and how they
will influence the future
of interiors, which will
serve to recreate the
framework of my speculative
scenario.
10 11
The Netflix series Altered a constructive way. Taking
Carbon gives a “bleak the socio-political and
visions of the future” ethical point of view into
(Allen, 2018) of the account, this might result
merging of technology in the end of privacy,
and human, while trying the rise of artificial
to give an answer to the intelligence and robotics,
future of technology and and the scaling effect of
INT
space. In fact, the use data agglomeration (Kelly,
of technology in order to 2016). At the same time, it
ROD
make simple almost every will create new spaces and
single daily life action interiors to satisfy and
UCT
has already become part of accommodate this merging.
our reality.
ION
This thesis presents
This relationship with a research about the
technology represents an transhumanist movement
important component of our and the various theories
society. According to the raised by its schools of
transhumanist movement, thought. Using social
the human race has media and the artificially
not reached the final augmented influencer as
evolution, but it will a tool, a speculative
be able to evolve with scenario has been created.
the help of advanced This scenario takes
technology. place in our near
future, in the year
However, this relationship when most of these
will entail some issues in theories could enter
the future of humanity if the realm of reality:
we are not able to use it in 2030.
12 13
“At the start
of it all
there is He:
the classical
ideal of ‘Man’”
— Rosi Braidotti
14 15
My alarm clock sounds every chromecast YouTube onto in order to accomplish the
morning at 8 am sharp. The my TV and ask Cortana to tasks of our everyday life.
sound originates from my play my morning playlist. I would like to investigate
phone, I grab the phone, I start to dress and get the influence that this
stop it, but I am too ready to go out, I wear evolution is having on
sleepy to get up and start my Apple watch and choose society’s fabric and its
my day. I unlock it and the music I will listen to interiors. Moreover,
check my social networks while going to university with the advent of new
MO
– such as Facebook and and I connect it to my realities, the virtual
Instagram – to spend time Bluetooth headphones. To and the augmented ones,
TI
while I slowly wake up. summarize, in about one designers will have to
I watch videos, check my and a half hours, I have deal with a new dimension,
VAT
friends’ last updates. used six apps, pressed where there seem to be
Then I check the newly numerous buttons and no rules and where there
ION
received emails without utilized a minimum of are endless possibilities
even realizing that I three appliances. of creating unimaginable
already spent the first 20 environments, changeable
minutes of my day looking “Technology is nestling and customizable.
at a screen. Then I turn on itself within us and
the Bluetooth bulb on the between us” (Van Est, 2015) As Donna Haraway stated:
ceiling through the Euro and many of our actions “Our machines are
Domest app, because the require a technological disturbingly lively, and
light switch is too far device that helps us to we ourselves frighteningly
from the bed, and I get up. do it faster and better, inert” (Haraway, 1991).
I go towards the toilet, becoming a sort of Humankind is slowly moving
but not before switching extension of ourselves. from an organic status to
on my Nespresso machine I find it extremely a brand new condition,
to warm it up. I take a fascinating how the and the line between
shower, have my coffee, digital hack of our Man and machine is
but I don’t really enjoy physical existence blurring.
silence so much so now I has become a necessity
16 17
From smartphones to thoughts. How will digital Finally, in order to answer
digital devices, humans developments influence these questions, I used as
are starting to perceive the exterior and the a tool for my research a
new technologies not just “interior”? figure strongly connected to
RES
as a tool anymore, but as the use of technologies and
an extension of themselves. Secondly, I conducted a social: the social media
EAR
Our arms have been replaced research on the evolution influencer. Where is the
by remote controls, of the use of technology influencer of the future, a
CH/
changing for instance the for social purposes. human mentally and bodily
setting of the living room Indeed, social media are enhanced by machines
QUE
by moving the couch further taking over as a new and with a life that is
away from the TV. Apps, such method of connection connected to the web,
STI
as Skype, allow us to feel with everyone, known going to perform his daily
that we are in the same room and unknown. Moreover, tasks? How is the interior
ON
as our friends and family they are creating a need going to change in order
who live far away from us, to share and show our lives to satisfy his needs? And
these technologies hence never seen before. The based on data collection,
influencing and reshaping question arises: What is how is going to be the
a new space that is going to be the next experience of generating
located between ours evolution? While in the new solutions every day?
and theirs (Busani, beginning their purpose What kind of new or advanced
2015). was to connect people, now, tools is he going to use?
from posting pictures, to Additionally, with the
Taking into consideration videos, to posting stories advent of technology such
the transhumanist movement, and finally lives, as in as augmented and virtual
I firstly how
analysed apps such as Facebook and reality, how are the added
humankind is reshaping Instagram, what is going spaces and layers that such
itself by creating a to be the next step? Are progresses allow going to
brand new configuration we going towards a never- be?
from the point of view ending share of our private
of body, behaviour and existence?
18 19Two different aspects will
be taken into consideration
in order to develop
this thesis and help me
during the process. Fact today
and fiction research is
ME
the method which better
suits my investigation
TH
and pushes me to have a
speculative outcome
OD
in the design project.
Speculative design is time
OL
a practice that uses
design, such as products,
OGY
services and scenarios,
to address challenges
and opportunities of the plausib
le
future speculating on how
things could be (Optimal
Workshop, 2016).
probable
The factual research will be
based on Frost & Sullivan’s
preferable scenario
recently published
study Transhumanism:
How humans will think,
behave, experience, and
perform in the future,
and the implications to “A diagram of potential futures (PPPP). Probable: traditional design space.
Plausible: alternative futures, linked with the today’s world. Possible: includes
businesses (2017) and all extreme scientifically possible scenarios. Preferable: using speculative
design to debate and discuss what is the preferable future. Beyond cone: fantasy.
Wild card scenarios: low-probability and high-impact – to think about and discuss
the article written about a much wider set of possibilities.” (Mitrovic, 2016)
20 21it Transhumanism And the design project and the self-biographical elements
The Future Of Humanity: technique of storytelling in order to produce a more
7 Ways The World Will via the presentation intimate and real story,
Change By 2030 for Forbes of a short movie. but inserting myself in
(Singh, 2017), regarding Taking into consideration another environment and
the future of technology the research exposed era. In fact, 2030 is the
and how it is going to previously, I will develop year where the created
influence the world in many a speculative scenario fiction will take place
aspects. From individuals presenting a possible and the moment when the
to governments, many future of interior progresses anticipated in
fields will change with spaces. the research section will
the merging of human and perhaps become truth.
machinery, as we are already The tool for my story
experiencing today. is a figure related to As the gender of the
Moreover, three aspects of technology and its use influencer in general can
humanity will be analysed: in everyday life: the be freely chosen and will
body, thought, and social media influencer. not follow our current
behaviour. The research Nowadays, the influencer perspective of gender, the
will be enriched with the is a character that has influencer will hereafter
addition of real cases made a profession out of be referred to as “it”
part of our daily life in the use of social media. (Cuboniks Laboria, 2014).
order to provide a basis The style of writing will
for the theories shown in be from the perspective
Frost & Sullivan’s report, of the first person, as it
and through a research will be the influencer @
of which are the answers Zarathustra, and the
that design gives to this supporting character
phenomenon. RazziBot, who narrates
the story and who will
The second aspect, fiction, experience its speculative
will be expressed through outcome. I will use some
22 231 24 25
“Like other
species,
we are the
products of
millions
of years of
adaptation”
— Max More
26 27EVOLUTION Until very recently, people
thought that our species
OF HUMAN BODY had stopped evolving and
changing way far in the bipedalism making tools lack of fur
past. Instead, our capacity
to peer inside the human
genome has shown that
actually our biology blushing tears of bigger brains
emotion
keeps evolving and
advancing in order to
adapt to ever changing
environments and
starch salt short stature
1.THE
situations (Max, 2017). metabolism retention
Difficult environments
are witnesses of how the
human body can change and
thrifty thick digesting
adapt. When we are in high genes hair seaweed
altitudes, most of us feel
breathless because our
lungs need to put more
effort to compensate the fat arsenic domestication
metabolism tolerance
reduced level of oxygen.
However, Andeans, for
instance, have developed
a genetically determined
urban lactose writing
trait that allows them to resistance tolerators
catch more oxygen. Also
deserts represent a big
challenge for human bodies. Fig. 01: Alvaro
Valiño, Being skin blood tall
An interesting case of Human. color mutations europeans
28 29adaptation to this extreme named Bio-Suit “that uses “people use technology
environment is that of elastic cords running in every next moment of
the inhabitants of Sahul, through clothing made of their life. It is one of
the continent that in the nylon-spandex, elastic, or the basic necessities of
past united Australia, New urethane-painted foam to today’s people” (Fascol,
Guinea, and Tasmania, who maintain contact with the 2017). The present is
developed adaptations that entire body” (Mann, 2011). ever-changing: are we
allowed them to survive witnesses of the beginning
the high atmospheric “The human desire to acquire of a turning point in
temperature range that new capacities is as ancient history or are we right
was below-freezing as our species itself. We in the middle and hence
temperature at night and have always sought to part of it? While 20 years
often reaching almost 40 expand the boundaries ago the use of mobile
degrees Celsius during the of our existence, be it phones as well as laptops,
day. “Natural selection socially, geographically, as we know today, was
can take us on different or mentally. There is inconceivable, nowadays
paths to reach the same a tendency in at least everyone owns one or two
outcome: survival” (Max, some individuals always and couldn’t accomplish
2017). However, with the to search for a way most of their everyday
invention of several new around every obstacle and tasks without them. The
technologies, the spirit limitation to human life advent of new technologies
of natural adaptation and happiness” (Bostrom, made the world run faster,
has transformed into 2005). Nowadays, evolution enhancing, optimizing the
artificial adaption, is driven forward by human- human and becoming part
with the use of external made developments and of our This
identity.
devices such as scuba is taking another path. transformation is a
gears or space suits, Technology is part of our signal of a future
which evolved from the lives and comes to us from of humanity that will
first one designed for the every angle in order to blur our identities
Russian Yuri Gagarin until make things simpler for us. into “transhumanism”
Fig. 02: Bio-Suit designed by Dava
Newman. one of the most modern From science to education, (Singh, 2017).
30 312 32 33
“Transhumanism life beyond its
is a class of currently human
philosophies form and human
of life that limitations by
seek the means of science
continuation and technology,
and guided by
acceleration of life-promoting
the evolution principles and
of intelligent values.”
— Max More
34 35Transhumanism is a way of
thinking about the future
TRANSHUMANISM based on the premise that
the human species in
its current form does
not represent the final
stage of evolution, but
is instead an early phase
that is still developing
(Bostrom, 2003).
“Transhumanism promotes
an interdisciplinary
approach to understanding
and evaluating the
2.
opportunities for
enhancing the human
condition and the human
organism opened up by
the advancement of
technology. Attention is
given to both present
technologies, like
genetic engineering and
information technology,
and anticipated future
ones, such as molecular
Fig. 03: James Young
nanotechnology and uses a prosthetic
artificial intelligence” arm featuring a
laser, a USB port
(Bostrom, 2005). and a mount for a
tiny drone.
36 37The transhumanist we all know as human but transcending himself, starting from the early
expectation is that (Jasmuheen, 2011). by realizing the new transhuman thinking in
through “technology, and possibilities of and for 1906 until the last events
other rational means we The term transhumanism his human nature” (Huxley, of the 21st century.
shall eventually manage was widely spread by an 1959).
to become Posthuman” essay from Nick Bostrom
(Bostrom, 2005). - founder of World Transhumanism is a loosely
Moreover, another of the Transhumanist Association defined movement that has timeline
goals of transhumanism (WTA) - entitled The grown gradually over
is no other but the Transhumanist FAQ: a the past two decades.
pursue of immortality, general introduction, However, this theory
either via uploading where he states that the associated to the rise of
minds to computers or by etymology of the term technologies has spread
rejuvenating human bodies “transhuman” goes back to since the beginning of
bio-molecularly to avoid the futurist FM-2030, who the 20th century. In
aging. introduced it as shorthand order to understand the
for “transitional growth and development
Transhumanists believe human” (FM-2030, 1989). of transhumanism’s
that humans might not be Moreover, in 1957, movement and thinking
perfect, but they all have Julian Huxley published inside society, the
the potential to become so a collection of essays online magazine “The
by improving themselves. entitled New Bottles for Verge” (2017) published A
To achieve this, they do New Wine. The volume opens Timeline of Transhumanism:
not limit themselves to with a short piece bearing mind uploading, cryonics,
traditional humanistic the title Transhumanism, artificial intelligence,
methods, such as sports, which contains a paraphrase robotics, space
education and cultural of a definition of the term exploration, brain and
development, but they also from 1951: “We need a body modifications, and
recur to technological name for this new belief. the sci-fi roots of a
instruments that enable Perhaps transhumanism will technofuture taking into
them to move beyond what serve; man remaining man, consideration one century
38 391906 1948
Russian philosopher Inspired by The
Nikolai Fyodorov Jameson Satellite
founds the Russian 1929 Robert Ettinger 1954
Cosmism supporting the British scientist publishes his short Jerry Sohl publishes
idea of immortality, John Desmond Bernal story The Penultimate the sci-fi story The
space exploration, publishes The World, Trump. Ettinger Altered Ego, in
and resurrection from the Flesh and the proposes cryonic which a man is able
biological expiration Devil, introducing - low-temperature to make a digital
through science (The transhumanist such preservation - as duplicate of his
Verge, 2015). as liveable space “one-way medical time mind and access it
habitats, and the travel to the future” after his death.
future changes that (The Verge, 2015). This represents the
science could bring first debut of mind-
to human intelligence uploading in fiction
and body (The Verge, (The Verge, 2015).
2015).
Amazing Stories The British
publishes, a short evolutionary
story by Neil R. biologist Julian The British
British scientist Jones, about a man Huxley, coins the mathematician I.
and Marxist J. B. S. whose corpse is sent term “transhumanism” J. Good publishes
Haldane publishes into orbit, and at a lecture titled Speculations
Daedalus; or, Science freezes for millions Knowledge, Morality Concerning the First
and the Future of years until a and Destiny describing Ultraintelligent
offering a first vision race of cyborgs his philosophy Machine proposing
of transhumanist which discovers it, as “the idea of a possible future
thought focused on defrosts its brain, humanity attempting intelligence
the concern with the and installs it in a to overcome its explosion in machine
ethical implications robot’s anatomy (The limitations and to learning (The Verge,
of science’s Verge, 2015). arrive at fuller 2015).
development (The fruition” (The Verge,
Verge, 2015).
1931 2015).
1965
1923 1951
40 411973 1989
FM-2030 - Iranian- FM-2030 publishes
American author, the book Are You a
transhumanist and 1983 Transhuman? (The 1991
futurist – publishes Natasha Vita- Verge, 2015). The Extropians
a theory of politics More publishes The Mailing list is
and future society Transhuman Manifesto, established, an
(Marcattilio- where she discusses online platform
McCracken, 2015) the chances of for transhumanist
called Up-Wingers: A a “radical life where to exchanged
Futurist Manifesto extension” (Vita- transhumanist ideas
(The Verge, 2015). More, 1983) in the (The Verge, 2015).
future.
The Colonization of
Space, published
by the physicist
Gerard K. O’Neill. Max More and T.O.
He advocates “finding Morrow publish the
high quality living first transhumanist Vita-More updates
space for a world magazine, Extropy: her The Transhuman
population that is Vaccine for Future Manifesto which
doubling every 35 Shock subsequently Hans Moravec afterwards is sent
years; finding clean, renamed The Journal publishes Mind with the Cassini
practical energy of Transhumanist Children, where it is Huygens space probe
sources; preventing Thought (The Verge, predicted the rise to Saturn (The Verge,
overload of Earth’s 2015). of super intelligent 2015).
heat balance” robots by 2030 (The
(O’Neill, 1974).
1988 Verge, 2015).
1997
1974 1990
42 431998 2011
Philosopher Nick Google’s X Lab
Bostrom, with David starts working on
Pearce, founds the 2004 Google Brain, a deep 2014
World Transhumanist Bostrom and James learning artificial Laboria Cuboniks, a group
Association (The Hughes establish intelligence of 6 women working together
Verge, 2015). the Institute for combining open-ended online to redefine a feminism
Ethics and Emerging machine learning adequate to the 21st
Technologies, which research with century, collectively write
publishes the Journal system engineering Xenofeminsim: A Politics
of Transhumanism (The and Google-scale for Alienation. They believe
Verge, 2015). computing resources that we live in a world that
(Research Google, “swarms with technological
2011). mediation, interlacing
our daily lives with
abstraction, virtuality,
and complexity”(Cuboniks
Laboria, 2014).
A.I. theorist
Eliezer Yudkowsky Bostrom and Anders
establishes the Sanberg publish the Ray Kurweil predicts
Singularity Institute manifest for mind- the achievement of
for Artificial uploading called digital immortality
Intelligence, which Whole Brain Emulation through mind-
will then become the Roadmap (The Verge, uploading by 2045
Machine Intelligence 2015). (The Verge, 2015).
Research Institute
(The Verge, 2015).
2008 2013
2000
44 45Observable in this timeline
the development of the
transhumanist movement
brings us more than 100
years back. Starting from
ideas and thoughts that looked
just like plain speculation
or even science fiction, we
ended up experiencing the “The evolution
birth of new disciplines
such as nanotechnology, of the technium
— the organism
or advancements such as
artificial intelligence.
By pushing the human mind
of ideas —
mimics the
forward, we prove that we are
able to reach new levels and
evolution
lead our existence toward a
new and human-made evolution.
It is fascinating how
the speed of creation
of new technologies is of genetic
showing developments in
everyday life. organisms.”
— Kevin Kelly
46 47THE THEORIES The transhumanist movement behaviour (Singh, 2017).
OFTRANSHUMANISM presents a vision about
the changes the
will undergo in the next
world
As a consequence, these
three aspects are going
to change and modify
10 to 15 years as well our social fabric on
as how the birth of new many different aspects,
issues will raise new probably creating issues
questions. We always which we did not have
looked at technology as to deal with before.
something exterior, made The change will influence
to enhance our actions, individuals, society,
but a new tendency is businesses, government,
taking over. Indeed, the how we think, how we
relationship between act, how we understand
human and technology
2.1
and relate with our
reached unprecedented world (Donahue, 2017),
degrees of intimacy and, of course, howwe
and intrusion experience spaces and
(Braidotti, 2013): both interiors.
body and mind are
finally taking part
in this technological
evolution. Can we start
to call it “body and mind”
evolution instead?
Three fundamental aspects
of humanity that will
probably evolve in the
next years are our body,
our thought, and our
48 49From the moment we are experiencing the growth and it felt green because
born, we enhance our body of so-called cyborgs. As it sounded just like the
and our natural immune a matter of fact, since colour green. The BBC beeps,
system through the use of 2004, the Catalan-British they sound turquoise,
vaccinations — which itself artist Neil Harbisson, and listening to Mozart
AUGMENTATION
can be already seen as act of has been described by became a yellow experience”
transhumanism —, medicines, international media as (Harbisson, 2012). Through
and surgery improving the the world first living different sounds, such as
quality of our lives, cyborg (Radnedge, 2004) songs or famous speeches,
BODY
protecting us from diseases and afterwards legally and he was able to export a
or helping us to shape our officially recognized as a range of colours connected
bodies according to our cyborg by a government. to certain vibrations
desires. However, in the Harbisson was born with creating art pieces.
last years, we are raising a “rare visual condition
2.2
the bar of these changes called achromatopsia, which Beside this kind of
toward a different kind is total colour blindness” technology made to make up
of development as a way of (Harbisson, 2012). However, for the lack of a natural
experiencing the world from since 2001 he can “feel” human ability, in the
a new and totally different colours through a future we can expect the
approach. cyborg antenna. The arrival of technologies
device permits him to that enhance humans
Indeed, a more radical perceive colours as audible capabilities, such as, for
upgrade is starting to become vibrations inside his head instance, augmented lenses
possible with the birth of a (Jeffries, 2014) allowing that can take pictures and
big amount of advanced him to recognize them. In videos or that allow the
body augmentation addition, he claimed that contact with “a layer of
capabilities. They will due to the antenna, he data on the top of what we
permit humans to become started having secondary normally see” (Templeton,
smarter, stronger, and more effects: “Normal sounds 2017). For instance, the
capable than today (Singh, started to become colours. new Netflix cyberpunk drama
2017). We are already I heard a telephone tone, series Altered Carbon (2018)
50 51presents a device that,
through a fast implant in
the eye, allows the main
character, Takeshi Kovacs,
to see a new environment:
an apparently normal Fig 08 – 10: Windows Mixed Reality
shows how from an empty room, the
street becomes a totally software can scan it and add new
digital contents changeable and
brand new place with customizable.
the introduction of
digital elements that
add a new dimension.
As a consequence, we could objects (Wikipedia, 2018), beginning, these body and
experience the production and completely abandon the mind augmentations will be
of new interiors made to use of keys and passwords available only for a social
enclose this new digital and, as a consequence, the class economically able to
environment: empty rooms abandonment of doors sustain the costs, keeping
could become spaces that latches or security the update out of reach from
keep changing and that system’s interfaces. a large part of society. On
can be customized based on the other hand, according
tastes and trends. As we progressively develop to Bostrom’s thoughts,
“the tools to engineer any we already experience
We will also witness an of these outcomes, some inequalities every day of
increase in the use of [people] will have to our lives. For instance,
implants such brain
as take priority over others” in the medical field,
Fig. 04 – 07: the moment in which microchips and neural (Singh, 2017). Will this experimental procedures are
Kovacs wears the smart lenses and
see the virtual reality attached
to the reality.
lace to ‘radio-frequency create a new subdivision only available for research
identification’ of social classes subjects and wealthy
(RFID), a chip that uses where an elite class will people. Subsequently, as
electromagnetic fields to emerge through physical as these operations become
automatically identify, well as mental upgrades? routine, the costs drop
track tags attached to Probably, at least in the and more people can afford
52 53them. Bostrom puts forward and instability especially
a proposal, in order to for the lower classes. On
address the issue, stating the other hand, we are in
that “a wiser remedy would a time where we have to
be progressive taxation and solve problems that cannot
the provision of community- be solved in a natural Fig. 11 – 12: The car is unlocked with the wave of a hand due to the RFID implant.
funded services such as way and following the
education, IT access in natural paths. Since many
public libraries, genetic improvements require the
enhancements covered by use of an intelligence way
social security, and so beyond the human one, we are this sentence and argue that
forth” (2003). in the middle of a new form “technology changes all
of using technology, which the time; human nature,
The Russian writer Morozov is not anymore a tool, but [and human body,
criticizes the use that an entity that can help us changes with it]. This
humanity is doing of and make our lives better, is just a little part of
technology stating that enhanced, and, maybe, what the body augmentation
“we must not fixate on considerably longer. will be actually capable to
what this new arsenal do and achieve: will we be
of digital technologies This body-hacking will able to call ourselves
allows us to do without give rise to humans that transhumans?
first inquiring what is are more resilient and
worth doing” (2014). On enhanced. Morozov states
one hand, this statement can “technology changes all the
be supported since the use time; human nature, hardly
of technology often touches ever” (2012). Considering
areas that humans are not that we are going towards
so happy to be changed, such a body that is adapting
as the use of machinery to to this progressed and
replace human labour, which technological world, I
creates economic issues would dare to reformulate Fig. 13: RFID implant.
54 55BEHAVIOUR ENHANCEMEN
Fig. 14: Tiana
Language is what allowed erase the devices which Sinclair can control
a drone through
the big progress of allow, but also slow down, mindwave technology,
which converts the
THOUGHT AND
energy of focused
human intelligence, the contact between human attention in the
brain via a headset.
an essential key for us and machine, such as mice,
to create and express, in keyboards or joysticks,
articulate concepts, our making the action faster
thoughts. However, at the and more natural (Singh,
same time, language is 2017). Through this totally
also limiting to a certain new and advanced way of
extent: the concepts that communicating, we could be at
we handle are limited the brink of a revolution
to the words that we of communication both
have and use. By mentally between humans and machines
interacting with a machine as well as between humans
2.3
on a non-language level, themselves. On the other
we will be able to push hand, mind augmentation
forward our intellectual through the use of
capacities. technologies such as BMI
also represents an issue
Both wearable and in today’s society: a
implantable brain- technology that might allow
machine interfaces a machine to control a give a tactile signal, they
(BMI) will alter the ways human has some undeniable can’t really control you
in which we communicate risks. possibility
The like a puppet, and you could
with each other and with of mind control through just rip the device off”
digital devices. BMIs machines hacking (Rothman, 2015).
will change all of this, individuals whose minds have
enabling communication been artificially enhanced The connection between
at the speed of thought is a reality. However, human mind and machines
in its full state. Through this is mostly just a hype: will also allow – as some
the BMI, we are able to current technologies “just technotopians proclaim –
56 57that replace old ones, in role in our ability to
order to make space for understand perspectives
these new activities and other than our own at
developments, such as in the current moment or to
the series Altered Carbon, build brand new and digital
where the Alcatraz prison spaces. BMIs may also
is turned into a facility to advance our ability to
upload dead people’s minds empathize with others
to new bodies? if we are able to understand
Fig. 15: the figure illustrates how the setting of an interior could change with
the use of BMI.
someone else’s full
perspective straight from
the uploading of brains far from the speculative their own brain, rather than
(or, to be more precise, outcome of uploading minds impaired by the limitations
minds or consciusnesses) into machines. Due to this, of oral language. We will see
and, as consequence, yet, quite unattainable the rise of AI in our career
digital immortality. As advancement, if such settings. Some authors
a matter of fact, the revolution will come argue that most employees
American startup Nectome true, it will challenge will have an AI colleague
Fig. 16: Preserved brain.
has recently developed a the basic institutions with which they collaborate
way to preserve brains of today’s society, As already anticipated by or through which their work
called aldehyde-stabilised such as healthcare, Packard in the 50s as an will be amplified, and they
cryopreservation. The social services, pensions, important side of marketing will become members of
minor setback is that the insurances, and the labour called neuro-marketing their board of directors
company has not yet found an market. How are we going (Packard, 1957), by 2030 we (Singh, 2017).
actual method for reviving to make room for the next can expect that behavioural
or uploading the brains it generations? Will the scientists will be of We are going towards a world
stores, but hopes to generate eternal or prolonged life interest for corporate HR, where not only humans live
the first biological neural be reserved just for a few strategy, and consulting and work, but where also
network around 2024 (Hern, privileged? (Hernæs, 2016) departments. The adoption machines occupy a space
2018). Indeed, we find that In addition, are we going to of virtual reality can among us and collaborate
our development is still see the birth of new spaces play an influential with us.
58 59The American designer to are
happen, we world, where interiors
and artist Natasha Vita- going to experience are made to protect us
More, developed her a transformation of from natural and weather
speculative project Primo humans into a sort conditions, and where
3M+ in 2002: “it is a of machine, perfect society is developed
prototype future from every point of view? for people that are
body, a conceptual design Moreover, will we still be born, age and finally
with super longevity in able to live in today’s die?
PRIMO 3M+
mind. Primo by design is
multi-functional. It is
reliable, changeable,
upgradable, and
complete with enhanced
senses” (Vita-More,
2.4
Error correction device
2002). According to Vita- - instant data replay
Nanotech data and feedback
More, the human body will storage memory
system Network sona
Solar protected skin
with tone - texture
Metabrain sensor map data changaebility
reach a new status becoming onto visual field
more powerful and Increase frequency
Cardio flow and
function monitor
Turbocharged suspension
flexibility
range, parabolic
flexible. In comparison hearing
to the 20th century body, In vivo fiberoptic
communications Smart Skin
the 21st century body backbone
will be ageless, with an
Interna wholebody
intelligence capacity navigational grid
Biosensors externally Replacement organs
stimulate atmospheric
of 100 quadrillion tension
synapses, instead of 100
Fig. 17: Primo 3M+
trillion, impervious to designed by Natasha
Vita-More.
environmental damage,
and with the ability to
recycle and purify waste.
If this is what is going
60 613 62 63
THE RISE OF “Thanks to the ever- connected to the world, TOTAL REACH OF THE BEST
expanding capabilities be updated with the last 10 FASHION INFLUENCERS
of smartphones, digital trends, or share their (O’Connor, 2017)
devices seem to have personal lives, there is
become extensions of the a category of other
SOCIAL MEDIA
body, a phenomenon that’s people that plays an 23.227.025
led to an unprecedented important role online INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS
and somewhat contentious and mostly use it for
dependency” (AS, 2018). advertising, “to appear
more popular or exert
Applications can influence” (Confessore et
1.971.954
perform a myriad of al., 2018).
TWITTER FOLLOWERS
tasks: if you are going
somewhere, Google Maps The advent of new
will find your way, you can technologies and
3.
check your bank balance, applications gave birth to
learn a new language and a new version of an age- 4.013.710
communicate with your old social phenomenon: FACEBOOK LIKES
friends and colleagues via the influencer. The
social media. Apart from influencer is someone that
body and mind augmentation, has the ability to
another of the strengths influence the behaviour
2.305.111
of technology is its or opinions of others.
YOUTUBE SUBSCRIBERS
application for social Online influencers come
purposes. in many forms; from the
celebrity to the fashion
Nowadays, the growth blogger or the activist, TOTAL REACH:
of social media is the influencers can deal 31.750.000
exponential. While with different topics
ordinary people use social and base their lives
media in order to be or next moves on the
64 65response of followers, depiction rather than in the psychology of the
an important component for reality.Social media follower. An image located
them, comparable to the has become the filter in a place that does not
supporters of a politician between us and the meet the requirements
in a democratic system. others, a new “space” of a modern and trendy
The everyday life of the where we are free to show location is not as strong
influencer is showcased whatever we want in the as an image that, besides
through a picture and a way we want. the influencer, shows a
text, both of which try beautiful, expensive,
to represent a perfect The designer Jella Lena or fancy environment. As
van Eck produced an previously VR
stated,
interesting short video could play an important
explaining which are the role in this case: “The
ten commandments to become idea is simple: completely
a proper #Instafamous. immersing the user in 360 Fig. 18: the influencer Chiara
Ferragni.
Perfect life, healthy degrees of visual content
lifestyle, six pack, and to create the impression
the outfit on point are that the user is in a
among the most recognizable completely different
moods that influencers environment” (Bobeshko,
usually express in their 2017). In other words,
accounts. To these ten faking a location could
commandments, I would like be the future of posting
to add an eleventh one: and generating new posts
the aspect related to every day from our own
the interior space, desk or, more generally,
and more generally to the it could be the beginning
environment. Indeed, the of generation of
a
“scenography” of every ever-changing, daily
image posted by an influencer new living spaces that Fig. 19: the influencer Chiara
Fig. 20 - 22: #Instafame by Jella Ferragni in a different interior.
Lena van Eck. plays an important role follow trends or moods.
66 67Social influencing is a trend that spread to the power of today’s social
the procedure by which other side of the ocean media, in particular
“individuals adapt their (Stern, 2013). And not when used by well-known
opinion, revise their only high classes, for personalities; this was
beliefs, or change their instance, the monk Girolamo such as of the Barbadian
behaviour as a result of Savonarola’s (1452-1498) singer Rihanna, who posted
INFLUENCING
social interactions with influence during the 16th an ‘Instagram Story’ to
other people” (Moussaïd century, had a significant denounce the famous app
et al., History
2013). effect on Renaissance art Snapchat for using an
teaches that influencers in Florence, much of which offensive advertisement
were always present he condemned as profane featuring the artist (Liao,
in society. If we look (Visual-Arts, 2018), his 2018). The ad was meant for
back in time, kings and influence was big enough a smartphone game called
queens were the influencers to turn the people against Would You Rather, and was
3.1
of their kingdoms, and so their elites – for which asking the users if they
were their direct advisors. he was subsequently would rather ‘slap Rihanna
Queen Victoria and Prince excommunicated, hanged, or punch Chris Brown’. The
Albert were well known and burned at the stake. reference to the incident
for their love for the in 2009, where Chris Brown
Scottish highlands where In our interconnected – at the time partner of
they bought, expanded, and society of today, the singer – beat and
refurbished a castle called social influence has punched Rihanna and led
Balmoral (Stern, 2013). ever deeper effects, and to her hospitalisation,
“While decorating, Albert “plays a prominent role was clear. “Her remark
designed several different in many … phenomena” sent Snap’s stock down
tartan setts, and Balmoral (Moussaïd et al., 2013) almost 4%, erasing
was tartan from floor to such as the encouragement nearly $800 million
curtain” (Stern, 2013). of new design trends and from its market value”
This pattern was used in ideas, political opinions (Valinsky, 2018).
both Victoria’s dresses or fears, etc. There are
and her friends’, becoming many examples that show the
68 69A further example of how seamlessly blended with
the use of social media has the tweets produced by
reached a new unprecedent other actual people”
status is its use for (Ferrara, 2016). In other
political purposes. words, bots represent
The 2016 U.S. presidential the reflection of the
elections were widely human’s thinking, but
influenced by four million multiplied and produced in
tweets generated
400,000 computer software
by a very fast way in order
to reach as many people as “Celebrities,
athletes,
programmes called social possible. Are we able to
bots (Ferrara, 2016). recognize when a content
pundits and
Bots arepieces of is human-produced
software that work or just an artificial
politicians
automatically, on reproduction of the
behalf of someone else. original thought? Is
have millions
During the U.S. campaign A.I. able to confuse our
in 2016, some bots were natural intelligence?
of fake
used to constantly retweet
contents created by human Influencing also means
supporters, while other more data collection: in
sophisticated bots produced
fresh tweets, jumping in
the discussion by using
fact, trough the gathering
of data coming from the
followers, influencers are
followers.”
existing popular hashtags able to know what their
such as #NeverHillary or supporters want or usually
#NeverTrump. The effect is ‘like’. Data mining is
that real users who were indeed a new power
following these Twitter source from many points of
hashtags were “exposed view. — Nicholas Confessore, Gabriel J.X.
to bot-generated contents Dance, Richard Harris and Mark Hansen
70AND PERSONALIZATION
DATA MINING Some argue that the
rhetoric of building a
global community that
works for all of “us”
is instead an intent to
create a “global data
vacuum cleaner that sucks Fig. 23: the home-page of Cambridge Analytica features the slogan: “Cambridge
Analytica uses data to change audience behaviour”.
from all of us” (Morozov,
2018). This is the case of This was made in order to or location. In the future,
the Cambridge Analytica change the way they thought it is no unconceivable for
scandal. Through apps about the U.S. presidential social apps to recognize
with special permissions election, without subjects our current mood through
to harvest data not just being consciously aware the use of emotional
from the persons who of such an influence (The filters. Furthermore,
3.2
use it, but also their Guardian, 2018). these features can also
entire friends network, extend to our homes, as
Cambridge Analytica pulled In contrast, we could we are already witnessing
out 60 million
around look at this issue from “with smart homes devices
of data profiles using another point of view. that can set the “moods”
them as the basis of the As a matter of fact, we with lighting and music”
algorithms that became the already experience that (Singh, 2017). This could
foundation of the company. an advanced degree be a revolution from the
Through this enormous data of customization is point of view of the living
mining, they able were actually taking over, and space. Going back to the
to generate customized in the future will probably use of VR in order to create
messaging, including touch virtually all aspects new interiors based on our
its framing, the topic, of our lives. Nowadays, taste or mood, digital
the contents, the tone, personalization is used to production could become a
and how many times the tailor marketing campaigns new power that will take
target person needed based on individual users’ over and establish a brand-
to be touched by them. past purchase history data new market.
72 734 74 75
With the advent of new evolutions are expected to of technology vibrating
technologies and the be part of our reality. around us” (Kelly, 2014)
INFLUENCING
rise of a new digital has already reached a
dimension, humankind is To conceptualize the point of intrusion in
dealing with a more and final design, I realized our interiors and is
more artificial world a scenario that shows starting to need its own
THE INTERIOR
that requires the power and encompasses the space. While usually an
of artificial devices. crucial elements that were interior is made to meet
The project reflects analysed in the research the needs of humans, this
on the changes that part. The outcome is new interior presents
the rise of technology a space designed both features to assist, too,
and the body and mind for humans and the the technology that also
enhancement will have technology surrounding occupies the space.
on the society and the them. This “greater,
interiors of 2030, the global, massively As previously anticipated,
4.
year in which all these interconnected system the design project is
told and experienced
by two characters
both living in 2030. @
Zarathustra is a
transhuman social
media influencer in the
social media platform
“Next Evolution”, and its
assistant, RazziBot, is a
bot, a software that has
reached a new status and
has a physical appearance,
which serves as its avatar
Fig. 24:
Lil Miquela in the virtual reality.
is the first
A.I. digital
influencer. I focused on the design
76 77of their physical continuous update of trends The introduction of the
and digital space. and fashions. The concept digital market in this
The introduction of new of interior under influence speculative scenario opens
dimensions, the virtual and describes interior
an up to new forms of fast and
the augmented, allows to in a continuous cheap shopping while, at
imagine a new environment digital and physical the same time, it starts
where there are no evolution: a space where a trend of immaterial
rules, no boundaries, all the elements keep ownership. In this case,
where it is possible changing lets the influencer the temporary nature of the
to change settings and create different sets ownership perfectly fits
features every day, which in accordance with the the use that @Zarathustra
can be experienced by the ever-changing tendencies. makes of it.
human and the machine, and
that merges physical with Fig. 27: Moods in Kasita. Kasita represents an
digital. interesting example of how
Fig. 25 - 26: Bernardo Schorr’s Mixed an interior can change.
Reality Living Space features also a
working space and a chilling space.
Bernardo Schorr’s project Described as the “iPhone
Mixed Reality Living Space, user to stay in the same of housing” (The Verge,
proposed an interior place while performing 2017), Kasita is a smart
that keeps changing different tasks, digitally home designed by Jeff
and adapts to the function changing the space instead Wilson programmed for the
performed: “Through of changing location. This different moods the user
digital augmentation, is, conceptually, what the might be feeling, such
each person will live in interior of @Zarathustra as waking up, chilling,
a space that is presented does. movie time, or bed time.
in several different “Looking at housing now,
forms throughout a normal This social media influencer technology is an after-
day” (Schorr, 2014). The of the future occupies an thought. We want to
merging between physical influenced interior. create … houses [that]
and digital allows the Being an influencer are made a lot more
requires a knowledge and a like cars or iPhones”.
78 79They created something
called these moods to
customize experiences for
daily routines. Through
vocal instructions or a
tablet, it is possible to
set the house according to
the user’s desires.
In the case of @Zarathustra’s
interior, the trends
take over the space
in a similar fashion to
the moods of Kasita, and
based on them the interior
reshapes according to
the data collected.
The interior space of
the influencer contains
three different realities:
real, augmented, and
virtual, and smart
lenses and BMI “enhance”
@Zarathustra, enabling it
to interact with them.
Fig. 28: Interior space of @Zarathustra.
80 81The interior space of @ the house through a filter “The advancement in 3D
Zarathustra allows him that projects an ad-hoc printing is shaping the
to generate different designed environment. With interior world to such an
posts and contents with these tools, the influencer extent that some believe
the help of the digital. is able to generate new we are on the cusp
Walls, floors, and interiors which function of another industrial
furniture are blue as a scenography for revolution” (Chatt,
while the silhouette his everyday posts. 2016). Via the use of 3D
of the main elements It (@Zarathustra) can printers, both clothes and
are highlighted with actually choose the colours objects can be printed,
REALITY
white lines or frames and “materials” of each and subsequently recycled
in order to ease element that will serve as and reused for the next
the image and space background or main feature post of the influencer.
recognition by the of its next posts.
4.1
AR smart lenses. The
space features components
that @Zarathustra uses to
perform his tasks such as
the filters desk, a smart
mirror, pop-up table and
chairs, a robotic arm
3D printer, and a 360 ° Fig. 29 - 30:
Change of the
background
camera which allows the through the use
of chroma key
VR experience of this effect.
interior by the enhanced
human. Through chroma
key effect and the use of
smart lenses – one of the
devices that allows him
to be called transhuman
–, @Zarathustra can see
82 83AUGMENTED REALITY
“Augmented reality (AR) physical world with digital
basically allows a person to content” (Windows, 2018) and
use [a device] to overlay detecting each object, it
the physical world assigns the colour or texture
with virtual elements” previously designated. This
(Bobeshko, 2017). As body augmentation changes
previously anticipated, the perception of the
the augmented reality in @ space making it usable just
Zarathustra’s world is made via smart lenses.
possible through the use
of smart lenses that add a
new layer of information to
the physical reality. Via
image recognition, the
4.2
lens augments the sight
“enabl[ing] to blend the
Fig. 32 - 33:
Change of
the textures
through the use
of chroma key
effect in the
living space of
Fig. 31: Sony patented a contact @Zarathustra,
lens with an embedded “image pickup due to the
lens” and the ability to take user use of smart
input through deliberate blinks. lenses.
84 85The short movie Sight scenarios and to use the
VIRTUAL REALITY
(2012) by Eran May-raz RazziBot’s “virtual-body”
and Daniel Lazo features as an avatar in order to
the use of smart lenses in perform those tasks that
order to experience the require a digital body. In
everyday life. While the fact, due to the increase
aim of the short movie is of digital activities,
to criticise technology attending meetings,
that has embedded our traveling, partying,
lives and personal shopping and many other
Fig. 34: RazziBot
relationships (Kosner, activities have become
2012), it is interesting a digital experience in
to see the evolution their world. In this
that interiors could way, virtual reality
4.3
experience. Indeed, enables a physical
BMI is one of the elements the living space of immersion in a virtual
that allow @Zarathustra the main character world.
to communicate with Patrick, presents an
RazziBot as well as with “almost entirely bare
the house. No interface [interior] because the
between human and machine contact lens-like implants
is displayed in the in his eyes project a data
scenario where the main environment on the bare
character performs its walls” (Kosner, 2012),
job. The virtual reality looking almost like a
represents the space where developed version of
@Zarathustra and RazziBot minimalist style.
meet and generate unique
environments. The use of The speculative location Fig. 35 - 36:
Interior space
digital items changes the of @Zarathustra is designed with and without
smart lenses in
the short movie
settings of the interior. to download different Sight.
86 87Via this technology, the
transhuman influencer is
able to experience a place
in constant evolution.
It can alter the space at
any point based on its
own desires, and it plays
the role of a teleporter
to other interiors and
worlds.
In addition to the
above, through the use
of storytelling as the
method to present the
design project, several
other elements will
appear along the story
such as data mining and
hacking. At the same
time, the explanation of
the different tools used
by the two characters and
their interaction with the
space itself will display
their intended effect
while watching the short
movie.
Fig. 37 - 39: Windows
Mixed Reality allows to
go from one environment
to another one and meet
with other avatars
existing in other
places.
88 8990
4.4 THE NEXT
EVOLUTION - THE STORY
91In the next 10 to 15 technologies in the field The Next Evolution hints
years, the development of augmented and virtual at positive and negative
of technology and its reality will push interior aspects of the advent of
application to the human design and architecture these new technologies,
body and mind will see the towards a new dimension as evolution also implies
rise of a vast amount that will need to be re- moments of darkness and
CO
of changes in how we thought, re-conceived, insecurity, but I would
perceive and experience and re-designed. The describe them as “the
NC
the space and in the project shows how, with the experience of being human
interiors themselves. use of such technologies, itself” (Brown, 2018). It
LU
At the same time, these the interiors will is our chance, and our
transformations will finally be changeable and responsibility, to harness
SI
also see the increase of customizable in a much it, tailor it to our time
questions never raised faster manner, and tailored and minds and, like we
ON
before, about the future to every single user, do with interior spaces,
of human society such as opening up to a brand-new create something new
new social classes. digital market. Through for a new (old) human.
the eyes of @Zarathustra, After all, “we don’t
The Next Evolution we can experience how the believe in moving to a
aims to reflect on the relation between human and new place and replicating
future of interiors, machine will change and the one we left behind,
as influenced by such reach an advanced level. where is the fun in that?”
developments. As a In fact, RazziBot, a piece (attributed to A. Fisher)
result, we must expect of software, is finally
a new and enhanced capable of occupying a
interior, ready to host “physical space” with
these new entities, its “physical body”,
outcome of this merger and to communicate as well
of human and machine. as to connect, with the
human like never before.
The development of
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