A graduation project that explores how excessive dependance towards bot systems could slowly erase human identity without our knowledge.
Bot systems are beneficial in our daily lives for convenience and efficiency, but may have an impact on human traits such as efforts, emotions and patience that define us in digital worlds.
Background
It started from my dissertation where I explore “The engagement and value towards highly sought-after sneakers.” What do people see in sneakers? For passion or monetary value? The topics explored are listed as follows;
Problem?
As these sneakers are deemed of rare and scarce, many consumers would attempt to purchase them at retail price before they are sold out and resold in secondary market for more than the original price, whether the satisfaction of possessing an exclusive, limited supply pair or for reselling purposes.
Based on the interview discussions, two problem statements from two different interviewees stood out at most; “bots and scalpers”.
“It encourages more resellers and scalpers because people will get influence by a specific pair, and scalpers will buy a lot of them and resell for money.”
“Many bots can jump in line to get the shoes, and it gets sold out very quickly."
Key Insights
Scalpers are people who would buy in bulk and resell them at a higher price, mainly because of the limited quantity and value. And when bots are in the frame, they can scalp them in seconds before humans can attempt to buy anything.
CAPTCHA: A bot detection Turing Test.
But bots have evolved to bypass them easily by mimicking human behaviours and patterns.
"Bots defeat the chances of securing a pair of shoes at retail price. If I'm going to queue for a drop, there's no chance of getting them as majority will get copped by bots."
“Resellers snatching sneakers from others.” Bots can get them easily, prioritising first come, first served, even with bots involved.
97% of businesses reported their customer satisfaction has been impacted by bots.
Deliverables/Solution
Solving the scalper bots problem is a "cat and mouse chase."
Bots will always find a way to counter any solution.
Instead, I have decided to "address the problem" by raising awareness and giving users a “speculative” journey of scalping with bots involvement in a physical form, and how excessive bot dependance could slowly remove human identity, without knowing.
A series of publications and physical artefacts related to my dissertation study; "highly sought after sneakers", it reveals a subtle loss of self authenticity as bot systems takes control.
Questioning; What's happens to us when bot systems begin to act for us, reacting faster than we can.
01. Terms & Conditions.
An accordion publication that mimics a "terms and conditions" agreement to include bots as an essential.
One side, it explains the promises of efficiency, immediate results, and a smooth sailing experience. As bot systems complete all tasks with minimal effort needed from you.
On the opposite side, it reveals what you are truly signing up for; exchanging for your efforts, behaviour, and self identity of what makes you human, as bots take over.
02. Captcha: Access granted?
An interactive publication consisting of translucent and opaque sheets in an alternate manner. The translucent sheet behave as bot systems, blocking out incorrect answers, while the opaque sheet beneath are untouched and unanswered CAPTCHAs. Guiding the reader with the correct selections without thinking.
A visual metaphor for the decisions humans never make, leaving it to bots while you save time and hassle from these security measures known as CAPTCHA. Concluding with the phrase “ACCESS GRANTED!”, as if everything was answered for you without efforts or stress.
03. A Slow Disappearance.
A Flipbook publication with a series of slightly different images throughout the pages. Starting off with a human face, that slowly fades away and unveiling a bots face underneath.
A visual metaphor of “a quiet transformation” as you lose your identity, efforts and emotions that makes you human in the digital space, when bots take over.
"To create an illusion of motion, flip through the pages rapidly by moving your fingertips, without letting go."
04. The Remains.
A sneaker box replica with 3 series of publications inside, and artefacts stored beneath them, in a concealed compartment with a shoe print at the bottom. The artefacts are objects and accessories collected from buying sneakers. What was a real and passionate pursuit is now hidden away. As though speed and codes, also known as bot systems, have displaced these values.
Artefacts;
- Authentication Tags
- Extra Shoe Laces
- Off White x Nike "Zip Tie"
- Receipt Orders
- Pin Accessories
- Postcards
- Thank You Cards
The Shoe Box.
