Sunday, December 1, 2013

Technobiophilia

Everyone loves technology right? Well do you love nature too? This is the topic that was covered in the latest MOOC talk that I listened to. We live in a world where technology overtakes almost every aspect of life. In fact sometimes it becomes a substitute for life itself. What do I mean by this?

Well in this day and age, people are constantly looking at a screen to connect with the world. Their world is the screen. Technology teleports them across physical boundaries and removes the effort to get out there. This is nice to be able to socialize with people across the web, but it isn't the same as a walk in the park or enjoying a coffee together. Or is it?

Surprisingly people have developed ways to imitate life through the computer screen. And instead of going out with your real self, people can go out in their second life. Second Life. This is the name of a popular online game, but its more of a world really. Whatever you can do in real life, Second Life can do too and more.
The amazing world of Second Life
To integrate life into technology...why exactly? Well why do people like to use nature-theme wallpaper. Why are there "organic designs"? To put one view into it: maybe we miss a part of natural life in all the hubbub of the modern world. That's why mom like to put plants in the house. That's why designers adore hardwood floors and wooden furniture. When something has an earthy feeling to it, why is this generally perceived as a positive thing? Are we just feeling something instinctual? Something agreeing to our deep primal urges. Maybe that could be it.

Mother nature doesn't have a metal body made of straight lines and patterns of high order. Instead nature is a bit more uneven, a little less ordered, something about that gives more life to this design.


No comments:

Post a Comment