Hernan, L. and Ramirez-Figueroa, C. (2021) Domesticity and digital eugenics : design cultures of Silicon Valley. In: Amatullo, M., Di Lucchio, L., Imbesi, L., Giambattista, A. and Malakuczi, V., (eds.) Design Culture(s). Cumulus Conference Proceedings Roma 2021, Volume #2. Design Cultures Roma 2021, 08-11 Jun 2021, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy. Cumulus conference proceedings, 2 (7). Cumulus (the Global Association of Art and Design Education and Research) , pp. 4542-4550. ISBN 9789526490045
Abstract
The paper attempts to make sense of the two more recent areas of interest of Silicon Valley’s ‘gang of four’: Amazon, Alphabet, Apple, Facebook. The last few years have seen this group of four turning their attention to the development of ‘smart’ ecologies with a focus on automation and the development of a 'house of tomorrow'. More recently, reports have emerged of increasing interest in biotechnologies and Synthetic Biology start-ups. Interest in these two areas are commonly interpreted as the logical consequence of the need to find new profitable markets. We suggest, instead, that modification of the human body is central to understanding these corporate actions. We use the notion of eugenics as an interpretative framework to understand these new areas of expansion, suggesting the creation of a hegemonic culture gestated by digital technologies.
Metadata
Item Type: | Proceedings Paper |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Editors: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | Copyright © 2021. Sapienza University of Rome, Cumulus Association, Aalto University. Reproduced here by permission of the publisher. |
Keywords: | internet of things; smart home; Silicon Valley; architecture; eugenics |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Social Sciences (Sheffield) > School of Architecture (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 13 Oct 2021 09:11 |
Last Modified: | 15 Oct 2021 11:28 |
Published Version: | https://cumulusroma2020.org/proceedings/ |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Cumulus (the Global Association of Art and Design Education and Research) |
Series Name: | Cumulus conference proceedings |
Refereed: | Yes |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:179082 |