In 2015, we lived in a world of political compromise. Public discontent was growing and trust in politicians was at an all-time low.
From this crisis came a new digital party standing for “ultimate democracy”, known as The Network. Utilising big data and the semantic web, The Network tapped into the vast wealth of digital commentary, delivering a real-time public voice in Parliament.
The Network had no leader, but a mascot in the form of a cat.
Unquestionably representative of the entire nation, and perceived as the only modern alternative to an outdated political system, The Network won a landslide victory in the 2030 general election.
Data input to The Network was restructured from a digital political platform called The Stadium. Running the country became efficient, economical and popular. There were no revolutions, no riots, but there was no change.
Innovation and creativity had been stifled by a constant strive for digital presence. “Ultimate democracy” had pacified society. With no MPs and digital debate hosted by The Stadium, Westminster was left redundant.
People had become slaves to the efficiencies of digital technology. Yet digital connectivity had given rise to feelings of loss and loneliness. Hope in humanity had faltered as The Network was the only trusted source for politics, life and experience.
Once again, the public looked beyond the digital to seek their soul in the real world. As soon as someone mentioned building The Stadium, #letsbuildit went viral.
A Stadium for every single person in the UK would be the instrument for digital society to participate in lived reality.
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What if social media and politics was one and the same? This film is part of a wider, architectural project speculating on a possible future of direct, digital democracy, challenging both “wisdom of the crowds” and “mob rule” behaviours. This architectural proposition intends to question our trust both in existing political systems and potential digital technologies.
Footage is found. Voiceover by Kirk Flash. Music by Guy Chase.
Thesis Project_MA Architecture_Royal College of Art
For more information please see: http://cargocollective.com/stephaniecrombie/we-re-all-in-this-together
