Midterm Intervention Philip Abeleda DRAFT

Phoney War

    My Midterm Intervention project will attack the subject of phones, specifically apps, that permeate modern society. My intervention does not pin phones or technology as the main culprit, despite it being the engine that damages our society. Rather, it is the fault of the magnates who use methods of algorithms, data collection, and feedback loops to possess its users. Thought this is legal in a capitalist system ran by corporations, it still comes at the cost of our happiness, fulfillment, and attention. Studies and research have shown that the screen time of Gen Z averages 9 hours a day. To maintain these hours, companies such as TikTok and Instagram use methods that maximize engagement. Data is collected from users to personalize the app according to the users preferences at the highest degree. As a consequence, we spend more time in a different plane of existence, not in the physical world, but of the digital world. This is harmful as our time in the digital skews and warps the way we perceive our physical realities. Those that control the digital realm work only to maximize profits even if it means altering our perception of the world, other people, and ourselves in a negative way. From corporate machinations an atmosphere of apathy, jealousy, and inadequacy is created. This altered perception creates a society disinterested in understanding other people, and in turn understanding ourselves.

     My project will consist of a poster containing a survey. The survey will ask one question; based on a  weekly average how much screen-time do you spend on your phone. A measured count can be found via onboard widget for screen time, but in the case of its absence an educated, truthful guess will suffice. The poster will be in the shape of a large I-Phone, with a black screen. On the screen will be text asking "How much screen time do you spend each week ?". The screen will be adorned with decorations including eyeballs, app logos, and statistics on screen time usage in relation to mental health. The objective of the poster will be to collect data of screen time usage. In theory the poster should also be intriguing enough to bring people together for conversation, liberating them from the digital world even if for a moment.

Inspired by the New York-Dublin Portal by Bendiktas Gylys. It utilized the subject of technology to bring people together which is what I hope to achieve in my project.

I am inspired by surrealist depictions of eyeballs. I hope to use them to stir unease and stimulate the viewer to the point of confrontation with my poster, survey, and data.