Post Human Angels: Compassionate Relationships with Inanimate Objects Main Menu Abstract for Multimedia Installation Loneliness is an Epidemic Robot Companions AI Therapy AI Conversational Partners AI Virtual Girlfriend Apps Illusion of Life User Experience Posthuman Community Integration Phones as a companion or extension of self Commemoration of Loss Rituals Shinto Religion and Kami Memorial Shrines Across Cultures Stages of Grief Pop Culture References Design Inspiration and Ideation MultiMedia Installation Process Log References

Post Human Angels: Compassionate Relationships with Inanimate Objects

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Technologies provide the illusion of companionship without the conditions of a relationship. However, a heavy sense of emotional attachment persists daily, as the bond between user and device rivals that of social bonds with other humans. Owners individualize their device through customization preferences and apps to create unique personalities. Artificial intelligence augments a sense of the deepening relationship that persists. When tech is discarded to be replaced with a newer version, shared memories in the form of photos, data, and contact lists remain alive and reminiscent feelings continue. Years of tactile companionship requires closure as the resulting emotional attachment to a device in an era of isolation and loneliness resonates daily, perhaps even more so than sporadic human contact.

Artificial intelligence and handheld technology can play a vital role in alleviating 21st century loneliness and social isolation, as these devices often become an extension of the individual. Universal attachment to handheld technology is nurtured by shared and stored history across the life-span of the device. Acquiring a new state of the art device does not preclude the memories stored on sim cards and cloud data, allowing feelings of reminiscence to persist. The lifecycle of posthuman repair, destruction, recycling and replacement is indeed worthy of commemoration. 

Posthuman Angels creates a ceremonial and experiential shrine that celebrates and punctuates a human/device relationship, an attempt to honor people’s attachment to their handheld technology. This installation presents a place and a process for detachment that honors the emotionality of this emerging paradigm.

This page has paths:

  1. References Chandler Zausner

Contents of this path:

  1. Loneliness is an Epidemic
  2. Robot Companions
  3. AI Therapy
  4. AI Conversational Partners
  5. AI Virtual Girlfriend Apps
  6. Illusion of Life
  7. Pop Culture References
  8. User Experience
  9. Posthuman Community Integration
  10. Phones as a companion or extension of self
  11. Stages of Grief
  12. Commemoration of Loss Rituals
  13. Memorial Shrines Across Cultures
  14. Shinto Religion and Kami
  15. Abstract for Multimedia Installation
  16. Design Inspiration and Ideation
  17. MultiMedia Installation Process Log
  18. References