I decided to check both Ying’s Task 12 and Erin’s Task 12 on Speculative Futures.

Both Ying and Erin had speculative future scenarios that had to do with vision and what we would see around us.

Ying’s Speculative Futures scenario 1 sounded quite sci-fi to me but also I could see how our world – which is riddled with ads everywhere can be so intrusive that people end up paying to not get them anymore. I personally use ad-block quite often while using the Internet. Before installing it into my browser I used to see some disturbing and annoying flashing ads on the columns of web pages I was browsing. I remember when ads on most websites were highly distracting and often inappropriate. When I was a lot younger, ads did not distinguish between if the user is a minor or a female, resulting in having ads about “sexy single ladies in my area”.

However, now most ads are highly catered to the user and their interests. Tech companies have access to a lot of personal information and are able to use it to their advantage to customize some of the ads that would be aimed at specific demographics. As a result I’ve noticed that more and more people are using VPNs and ad block to have more autonomy over their digital information and what they want to see on their screens. Turning ad block off is a choice now for many to help other users earn money. For example, Youtubers earn money from ad revenue. Loyal viewers who want to help that Youtuber may turn off their ad block only when watching their content (At least I do this for Youtubers I know personally or those I really like).

Erin’s speculative futures scenario 2: Good Optics is about glasses that analyze the “wearer’s sightline to (a friend’s micro expression, the dynamics between a group of people, unassuming danger) to help the wearer make informed and ethical choices in their life based on real objective data rather than one’s own assumptions.” This looks like it’s a more positive take on what is being fed to the user in comparison to Ying’s scenario. However, this takes away the users autonomy and critical thinking skills if relied on too heavily. I can see this being helpful if used in moderation and for those who are socially awkward or have other challenges.

Both these ideas from Ying and Erin don’t seem too farfetched to me with smart glasses (i.e. Google Glass) being developed.