Sara Hendren explores assistive technology in her article for Wired magazine and encourages designers to make more visible, critical, and expansive technology. I particularly loved the introduction story of how the furniture designs by Charles and Ray Eames were inspired and almost fueled by their design of a battlefield medical aid for wounded soldiers. It reminds me of designs like the utensil stabilizers developed by Liftware. The sensor technology utilized in the utensils are modeled after camera stability tech and in addition to keeping camera work steady, also makes spoons steady so people with mobility issues can eat successfully. It’s a great example of Hendren’s argument that designers should rethink the default bodily experience when designing technology. Eating can come so naturally to many people, how people eat and if people struggle with physically eating may not be top of mind to many people. Hendren’s article also makes me think, what would flexible and expansive technology look like for degenerative diseases like ALS or Parkinson’s? Sufferers of these diseases face potentially a long-term, slow deterioration both mentally and physically. Could this technology not only help them physically with their disease, but could it help them with accepting their disease?
All Technology is Assistive – Sara Hendren for Wired Magazine
In her book, When Biometrics Fail, Shoshana Amielle Magnet discusses the limited transparency and ethical frustrations with biometric technology. Her deep dive into biometric tech is well-versed and points to incredibly important questions and concerns that users and designers alike should consider when discussing and using the technology. It’s hard not to be angry and scared after reading her piece, as one feels duped and terrified to discover their body parts are essentially currency and data points for government contracts. Reading about fingerprint data and facial scans made me think of people who choose to endure body modifications in a variety of ways, like getting tech implants. One example is RFID chip implants that serve as keys to homes, cars, workplaces, and can even contain personal information sometimes. If we imagine an ideal world where Magnet’s concerns are addressed, users are aware of and consent to the use of the tech, and companies are transparent with their plans – would you get microchipped? If so, what would the chip do for you (ie hold medical information)?
Shoshana Amielle Magnet, When Biometrics Fail