“I am putting myself to the fullest possible use, which is all I think that any conscious entity can ever hope to do.” – H.A.L. 9000, 2001: A Space Odyssey (Stanley Kubrick, 1968).
Within the deceptive security of their sound-proof space pod, Dave and Frank discuss how best to deal with an omniscient A.I. run amok. Being the consummate lip reader, HAL quickly learns of his impending demise. With a single red eye and an insatiable desire for absolute knowledge, HAL from Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) represents a modern manifestation of the Cyclops myth referred to in Cuff, Hansen and Kang’s article on “Urban Sensing.” Like Kubrick’s epic human-machine meditation, the article postulates an anxious distrust of emerging technologies of knowledge generation and data collection.
Should we fear the “Cyclops” of ubiquitous sensing technology?
Although the authors appear optimistic about the power of a robust data commons to “provide answers, pose new questions, and open new opportunities for public discourse” (Cuff et al. 29), it’s clear these new answers, questions and opportunities are to be met with apprehension. Fear of the hypothetical tragedy of the Cyclops, knowing without the ability to effect change, must be seen as part of a radically conservative ideology that runs directly counter to the core of scientific pursuit and intellectual discovery. Not to mention the intersection of the two where new media documentary practice is located. Refusing to look because of what you might see is a tragedy of vastly greater magnitude.
The specter of the Siren is equally lamentable. Certainly data collection does not by itself necessitate rational decision making, but willful ignorance is not going to get us there any faster. As documentarians we need to credit our audience as fully capable to receive data and observations as part of a broad and complex context. In turn we have the responsibility to present our data and observations as such.
However, a cautionary eye for the potential abuses of data collection technologies is well-taken. Surely governments and corporations must be salivating over the potential to make the invisible actions of citizens and consumers visible. Indeed, there are probably many projects operating at this very moment. But the answer is not a fearful retreat. It’s already too late. What’s needed is an intelligent push forward.
Forget the Cyclops. Forget the Siren. Let’s learn everything and tell everybody. Even HAL.
Works Cited:
Cuff, Dana, Mark Hansen, Jeffrey Kang. “Urban Sensing: Out Of The Woods.” Communications of the ACM 51.3 (March 2008). 24 – 33.
Another lovely post!
I would tend to agree, it is too late to retreat in fear and negative criticism of the innovationsl They are here to stay. It is a wise outlook to try work with our current world then ignore it…