I draw similar conclusions to you in my writing, especially the point that these technologies have the best chance of delivering their empathy promises if and only if they are situated in community. OTOH, I sometimes find myself feeling nostalgic for the very hope that tech can be good…
Yes, "situated in community" is such a vital phrase. Outside of that, it’s just affective spectacle. I feel that same nostalgia too, sometimes. Not for the hype, but for the brief moment when hope felt like a reasonable design spec.
nostalgia for hope as a reasonable design spec <3 I hope you find the book helpful! i think it will definitely be up your alley (just based on the post i read of yours) and hopefully just 'yes and' you in the direction you are heading...
The empathy machine stuff started out somewhat earnestly but quickly got co-opted by big tech (and then discarded when it didn’t meet bottom line). What if it never blew up and was always a niche artistic/activist tool? Would our assessments be different? Just musing…
I just ordered your book, “In the Land of the Unreal Virtual and Other Realities in Los Angeles” (and everyone else should, too). www.lisamesseri.com/in-the-land-...