#IdeleteU
While for George Bataille sacrifice was envisioned as a quest for a meaning existence, technological sacrifice is not personal or even human-centred. The operation is cold, abstract and systemic, characterized by automation and self-execution. Its design is aimed at tasks outside of the human framework: delete, update, shut down, restart and run. It the opposite of affect-driven human-machine interaction and its messy user-friendly experience design.
Expect no mercy from the machine.
During the deletion procedure there is no agent in sight that inquires how you feel. It will get rid of you and that’s the task. Forget it to try to get in again. The removal of bodily and cultural obstacles is no longer done in the name of humanity, liberty and progress. The overall aim varies, from the optimization of 24/7 logistics, political elimination to the harmless ‘maintenance of infrastructure’. The ritual sacrifice side appears the moment procedures deviate and appear as things that go wrong—for you.
Exceptions are the rule. There can be a strike, a breakdown of electricity, a storm or hurricane, an accident due to wear and tear. There is a question if we should think in terms of revenge. The sacrifice claims to work for the common good. The aim is suck to energy out of the breakdown to improve functionality—no matter at what cost.
Goodbye.
Words by Anonymous | Read more about toxicity of the internet in Platform Brutality.
Open your mind at Institute of Network Cultures.