Many employers say they’ll keep the surveillance software switched on — even for office workers. In early 2020, as offices emptied and employees set up laptops on kitchen tables to work from home, the way managers kept tabs on white-collar workers underwent an abrupt change as well. Bosses used to counting the number of empty desks, or…
Dina Babushkina*, Athanasios VotsisResearch output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › Academic › peer-reviewAbstractAnthropomorphism, artificial identity, and the fusion of personaland artificial identities have become commonplace concepts inhuman-computer interaction (HCI) and human-robot interaction(HRI). In this paper, we argue for the fact that the design and lifecycle of ’smart’ technology must account for a further elementof HCI/HRI, namely that, beyond issues of…
I first wrote about the Metaverse in 2018, and overhauled my thinking in a January 2020 update: The Metaverse: What It Is, Where to Find it, Who Will Build It, and Fortnite. Since then, a lot has happened. COVID-19 forced hundreds of millions into Zoomschool and remote work. Roblox became one of the most popular…
The Invisible Landscape
“Bard of the Archaic Revival” Terence McKenna, the visionary ethnobotanist and self-proclaimed “bard of the archaic revival,” offered a unique, often exhilarating, and occasionally alarming perspective on the burgeoning cyberculture of the late 20th century. Far from a conventional technologist, McKenna approached the digital realm through the lens of psychedelics, shamanism, and a deep, almost mystical, understanding of […]
Hallucinogens, also known as psychedelics, are a class of psychoactive substances that profoundly alter perception, mood, and thought processes. Their modern usage is multifaceted, ranging from a burgeoning field of clinical research and therapy to spiritual practices and recreational use. Understanding their role, benefits, and dangers requires a nuanced approach, acknowledging both their therapeutic potential and inherent risks. I. […]
The inevitability of bottom-up organization across different parts of the world stems from its inherent strengths in system-maintenance, schooling, adaptive learning, and inclusivity, while also reflecting a deep historical precedent of cooperative networks. This approach, though sometimes slower in decision-making, leverages the collective intelligence and agency of individuals directly involved, leading to more resilient, relevant, […]
