The term Internet of Things captures more than seamless connection between digital and material, palpable and the ethereal. It also evokes how our multitude of intimate devices are interlinked, offering extraordinary connectivity and access, but at the cost of technology upkeep and the surrender of all personal data. The embeddedness of the Internet of Things across North Asian urban centres transforms cities themselves into technology devices, offering a total ease of connection while collecting every molecule of information.
How are these vast digital networks, AI and surveillance countered through playful acts of resistance?
With attention to WeChat connected QR Codes, Sesame Credit, Smart Cities and Society 5.0, Dr Hugh Davies explored how cities and citizens in North Asia are coming to terms with such hyper-connectivity. Drawing on recent practice-based research undertaken in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Korea and Japan, this forum talk explores disruptions, digital resistance and gestures of defiance across North Asia, discussing how analogue activity become a radical politic act.
This forum took place on 30 October 2019.