Session 6 - 06.11.09 The machine and Archigram

So my thoughts on Archigram...

(As scribbled down on the train back home)

Plug-in-City is a mega-structure with no buildings, just a massive framework into which dwellings in the form of cells or standardised components could be slotted. The machine had taken over and people were the raw material being processed, the difference being that people are meant to enjoy the experience.

After the session today and looking at Archigram's designs it is quite scary to me just how close we could be to actually living in an Archigram design. I mean lets look at the world we live in, we have no need for shops, we have Amazon and Tesco's delivery, no need to talk to each other anymore, we are increasingly using texting and social networking sites (I will discuss this a bit more later), we don't need to go to the gym or for a run anymore, we have Wii Fit. Recently at work, as well as the work becoming more and more a case of copy and paste, I have noticed that more and more my boss emails me what work I need to do rather than coming to see me, I do all my work on a computer, look up information online, do I actually need to be at the office? No, not really. I laughed at the piece in week 1 on Zaha's office, how her employees are plugged into a machine, but the scary thought is that we all might not be far off working like that.

So my thoughts on the "Machine"...

I agree with Paul regarding doctors acting as mechanics. Fine by me, I'd quite like to lose the lecture every time I go to the doctors. Yes, I probably do drink more units than I should be, eat too much salt and don't exercise or look after myself as well as I should. But I do pay my taxes, I "conform" to the rules of the machine, so surely I should be entitled to a new liver or any other new part I might need off the NHS every now and again!

Due to advances in technology we are increasing the control the machine has. Facebook, much like windows 7, is the new software upgrade for the machine. Facebook, as well as any other social site, is a monitoring and controlling piece of software that is feeding the machine. People are compelled to tell it, amongst other things, how they are, what they are fans of, where they've been, who they were with...and don't think just because you haven't conformed and created a profile it doesn't know about you. You'll be in there, in someone’s photos, in someone’s comments, whether you like it or not. We have no choice but to comply, all hail the Machine!