Imagined Future Scenarios
Ethics in Art, Plausible Futures, Long Term (5 - 10 years)
Scenario Generated from 'After Authenticity' - Subpixel.space
Future Arc and Implications
Grow Arc
Social Impact: Art becomes ubiquitous and personalized, but potentially homogenous and driven by viral trends.
Technological Impact: Advanced AR technologies proliferate, fostering a highly immersive but data-dependent art consumption.
Ecological Impact: Increased energy consumption and electronic waste associated with manufacturing and powering AR devices.
Economic Impact: AR art platforms dominate the market, creating new artistic economies but also potential monopolies.
Political Impact: Governments struggle to regulate AR content and the use of public spaces for digital overlays.
Narrative: AR art explodes in popularity, fueling a boom in technological innovation and consumerism, ultimately leading to unsustainable growth.
Collapse Arc
Social Impact: Digital art fades alongside infrastructure collapse, leading to a renewed appreciation for tangible and traditionally-owned art forms.
Technological Impact: AR technologies become inaccessible due to resource scarcity and lack of maintenance, halting digital art overlays.
Ecological Impact: Electronic waste becomes a major environmental hazard after the collapse of recycling infrastructure.
Economic Impact: The AR art market disappears as basic survival needs take precedence over artistic expression.
Political Impact: Art becomes a question of resource allocation, with communities prioritizing practical skills over patronage.
Narrative: Systemic breakdowns cripple technological infrastructure, forcing a return to traditional, physical art forms amidst societal unraveling.
Discipline Arc
Social Impact: Art is curated and regulated by central authorities to promote specific ideologies or maintain social order.
Technological Impact: AR tech is used for widespread surveillance and censorship, controlling the types of art that can be displayed.
Ecological Impact: AR device manufacturing is streamlined for durability and reduced environmental impact under strict government mandates.
Economic Impact: The AR art market is nationalized or heavily controlled, limiting artistic freedom but ensuring accessibility for all.
Political Impact: The state utilizes AR art as a tool for propaganda and social engineering, promoting approved narratives.
Narrative: A centralized authority dictates artistic expression through pervasive AR technology, enforcing ideological conformity and social control.
Transform Arc
Social Impact: Art transforms into a medium for collective expression and spiritual exploration, fostering deeper connections between individuals and their environment.
Technological Impact: Decentralized AR platforms emerge, empowering artists and users to create and share art without intermediaries.
Ecological Impact: AR technology evolves to minimize environmental impact, utilizing sustainable materials and renewable energy sources.
Economic Impact: A gift economy emerges around digital art, promoting collaboration and sharing over individual ownership.
Political Impact: Art becomes a cornerstone of participatory democracy, enabling citizens to express their views and shape their society.
Narrative: A paradigm shift in values leads to AR art becoming a tool for social transformation, fostering community, sustainability, and spiritual awakening.