Networked Entities and Critical Design: Exploring the evolving near-future of networked objects

Rapid technological advancements, tending toward an interconnected world automatized by communication between all networked objects, are gradually becoming the standard. This results in evolving human behaviours — technological artefacts emerge and the behaviour of technology towards humans shift. As these technologies become more prevalent in our surroundings, examining the ontological relationship between humans and user-centred networked technologies helps explore and understand the evolving concepts of agency and autonomy. With the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT), humans and smart, quantified, and generative technologies are becoming increasingly linked, co-evolving an interdependence of daily routines, behaviours, and sense of self. To offer a comprehensive view of our engagement with technology and to delve into the impact on daily human lives, a multidisciplinary approach, including Research Through Design, Critical design/making, Speculative Fictions, provocations, curatorial practices, observational writings, and performances were employed. A near-future video prototype employing design fiction (Bleecker, 2009), speculative approaches, and dramaturgy (Goffman, 1959) provides an engaging exploration of potential implications — also, consequences of increased connectivity and automation in our lives. The concept of “networked entities” is proposed as a valuable addition to the design methodology, situating the outcome in a plausible (Dunne and Raby, 2013) near-future. Networked entities that are conceived from the analysis of current behavioural patterns of a user are speculated to exhibit a heightened sense of agency and autonomy; this transforms passive objects in our lives into “active participants” (Bleecker, 2006). These objects adapt to our needs and preferences, making decisions on our behalf. This shift in the roles and capabilities cultivates discourse between relationships and expectations with technology and responsibilities with use. New perspectives on how to approach and understand the ontological relationship of humans and networked entities are explored to contribute to the broader conversation of the impact of this ever-present connection. Potential implications of increased connectivity and automation provides valuable insights for designers, policymakers, and users of technology as we move towards an increasingly interconnected world.