3. machine paradox

experience

The seminar was an interesting experience. From my point of view the machine paradox provides two very relevant aspects to the masters development. This is developed through a spam of two weeks parallel to the rest of the masters seminars which compliment the skills and criteria necessary.

The first and more obvious could be the technical skills you acquire in terms of arduino use in both software and hardware in terms of circuit development and technics, as well as the critical analytical aspect of understanding the industry and how the development of their products is strictly driven by their business model more than any kind of user or sustainability criteria. Which comes as no surprise.

The chance to dissect an existing product or electrical appliance in order to understand it and repurpose relevant components following a conceptual approach selected by the students is an interesting way to open the door to untapped product alternatives. Not in the sense of commercial or even practical machines, but in a critical technology centered scenario that expands the way we understand what we really need and what is enforced on the user in order to generate revenue.

The second and most important aspect in my opinion, is the actual application of the skills and criteria developed but framed in a very creatively stimulating approach. The way the seminar channels the development of the final project allows the researchers to explore and project solutions in alternative scenarios and create an experience through various uses of technology.

From a personal perspective, this is the core element to actually apply a new set of skills without a set of standard set of rules and restraints that limit the range of functions the designer can come up with for the specific piece of technology at hand.

slides

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forensic report

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video

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