During Dutch Design Week, ROBOT LOVE organizes four All-Inclusive Cyborg Talks. This series of lectures and debates are presented in the public program of ROBOT LOVE. The lectures and debates, looking at the phenomenon of cyborgism from different perspectives, deepen and sharpen the theme. The talks take place in the Event hall of ROBOT LOVE in the Campina Melkfabriek and are free accessible.
Tuesday 23 October,10-11:30 AM
UNIFORMITY VS DIVERSITY
Chair: Daniëlle Arets
Technology offers many people the opportunity to participate in society. Technology as enabler of accessibility. The practice is different. The paradox of technology is that, despite the possibilities, the instrument is often used to control, manage, and homogenize society. Contact lists on smartphones consist for 95% of people looking like us. Algorithms still produce stereotypes, seemingly farfetched, but stubborn nonetheless. Conscious human feedback is needed to realize a digital society that is as diverse as real life.
Wednesday 24 October,10-11:30 AM
TRANSPARENCY VS PRIVACY
Chair: Daniëlle Arets
Data ethics is becoming increasingly important in fashion and wearables design. Yet the big picture appears to be shadowy when it comes to big data and surveillance capitalism. Large companies and governments have opportunities to circumvent new laws or to look for boundaries. Responding to the demand for transparency with loss of privacy as a result has unevenly burdened the (ex)citizen. Critically approaching technology bubbles remains necessary to generate awareness and seek protection together.
Thursday 25 October,10-11:30 AM
MORE OR LESS ABLED WITH MACHINES
Chair: Brendan Vos
Many people with disabilities have been greatly helped by robot technology. Think of the smart walker or exoskeletons. Not only can we remove the ‘dis’ out of disability, it enables people to even become smarter/more mobile/increase their senses. But is it indeed a step forward for everyone? Smart domotics and the internet-of-things can significantly limit possibilities for self-determination. Even with accessible interfaces, social innovation as a counterpart is desperately needed to empower people. Reserving resources to invest in this is as much crucial as the technological innovation.
Friday 26 October,10-11:30 AM
PRO’S AND CONTRAS OF BIOLOGICAL & SYNTHETIC SYMBIOSIS
Chair: Brendan Vos
We do not only become cyborgs at a level that is visible and recognizable to others. Synthetic and biological elements melt together. Not only do we become hybrid people, also what we eat, where we live, with whom we produce offspring will become multivariable. The field, mined by SF authors Octavia Butler and China Miéville, is beyond understanding. We are talking about a difference in kind rather than a difference in degree. With: a.o. Floris Kaayck, Agnieszka Anna Wolodzko and Jeroen van Loon.
