Traditional Ugandan storytelling stool, seemingly unremarkable, yet embedded with subtle technological modifications.
What if preserving our culture meant losing our voice?
Whispers of Dissent: A speculative design project exploring the psychological impact of controlled cultural narratives in a near-future Uganda, where digital platforms curate and restrict access to ancestral knowledge.
Okumu_11631, Uganda
Okumu_11631, Uganda
Description
Cultural narratives are increasingly mediated through technology, potentially impacting individual autonomy and collective memory. 'Whispers of Dissent' is a critical examination of a speculative future in rural Uganda. It explores the use of AI and digital platforms for cultural preservation, and the dangers of weaponising them for political use. The work delves into the consequences of controlled narratives on social and psychological well-being. By drawing on theoretical frameworks, the artist presents a speculative design using provocative artifacts and scenarios. Ultimately inviting viewers to interrogate the subtle ways in which power shapes and influences cultural identity.
Context
In this imagined future, rural Uganda exists under a seemingly harmonious veil of technological advancement and cultural preservation. The landscape features vibrant, interconnected communities interwoven with advanced digital infrastructure. The inhabitants, adept at navigating both traditional customs and technological interfaces, live in a society where adherence to a unified national identity is paramount. Beneath the surface lies a history of subtle but pervasive control, where ancestral knowledge is meticulously curated and disseminated through state-controlled digital platforms. Individuality is silently, carefully traded for a perceived stability. Citizens police each other unconsciously.
Provocation
Care about this because it reveals how easily technology, intended for good, can be twisted. We are on this dangerous trajectory right now. Are open discussions becoming too monitored? Are “cultural sensitivity” guidelines really that? Ask yourself, who controls the narratives you consume?
Okumu_11631's process
Okumu draws inspiration from human psychology and Ugandan cultural narratives. Theoretical interpretations of folklore and traditional beliefs are analyzed through contemporary psychological theory, exploring symbolic structures and ritualistic practices. This project began with academic research into social psychology. This theoretical basis informed provocative scenarios focused on Ethnosync. Formal logic explored the implications of the design. The persuasive-academic style offers a robust understanding, challenging viewers to reconsider preconceptions. The artist encourages exploration of agency, collectivism, and power within this fabricated setting. This results in challenging conventional societal wisdom and destabilizing ingrained beliefs held within the discourse.
More about Okumu_11631
Events leading to ‘Whispers of Dissent’
2024: Rise in global misinformation prompts increased cultural sensitivity initiatives.
2026: AI-powered cultural translation tools gain popularity, promising to bridge understanding.
2028: Governments begin exploring digital cultural archives for national unity.
2029: Centralized digital platforms emerge, curating cultural narratives for 'accuracy'.
2031: Subtle censorship of 'unharmonious' cultural expressions becomes widespread.
Imagined Future Scenarios Considered
Okumu_11631 considered the following imagined future scenarios while working on this project
Communities build digital archives capturing ancestral cultural knowledge and practices.
Extrapolated from Investigating the case of human nose shape and climate adaptation - Plos.org
Culturally sensitive AI translates emotions and motivations across languages, resolving cross-cultural misunderstandings in real-time.
Extrapolated from The Big Five And Other Trait Theories Of Personality - Spring.org.uk
Hypothetical Product Ideas Considered
Okumu_11631 considered the following hypothetical product ideas while working on this project
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