Design Conjecture: OxyLumen

This design conjecture responds to articles in my Science and Technology section: The Biopolitics of Jade Eco Park and Hormonorium Installation, and Public Outrage Against Flock Cameras.

Both articles address infrastructure encroaching on public agency and privacy. While I find the purpose of Jade Eco Park and Flock cameras off-putting and morally wrong, in the spirit of design conjecture, I combined them to see what I could learn.

I took the puppeting of physiological response and created a dim lamp that lights a path and expels oxytocin gas to relax passersby and accustom them to dim light. I took the idea of an ever-present camera and included one to make sure the same person is not continuously walking under the lamp to intoxicate themselves.

This design has more flaws than successes. It is morally grey at best (even that's generous); it would be ridiculously expensive, if it can even be produced; it only addresses light pollution on paths in a park; and it would require a lot of expensive maintenance.

While this is not a sensible approach to light pollution, designing it reminded me of the importance of considering how a product might be misused during the design phase.

It also made me think about public perception: even if you make something in good faith, if the public doesn't feel safe with it in their community, its production and implementation are irrelevant.