Words in Freedom: A Manifesto Machine as Critical Design

Simone Ashby, Julian Hanna, Sonia Matos, Rodrigues Ricardo

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract / Description of output

Words in Freedom is a design project aimed at artists, activists, and others that draws from research on the manifesto to create a studio environment or ‘Manifesto Machine’. Drawing primarily on the sub-disciplines of Design for Good and Critical Design, this project seeks to enhance conscious self-expression and empowerment while questioning "design's inbuilt optimism" [16] and the effects of automation on human agency. When we automate for improved performance, what do we lose in the process? Do the benefits
outweigh the loss of agency? How can technology aid expression without
over determining it? Ultimately, Words in Freedom seeks to create a collaborative writing environment that strikes the right balance between freedom and constraint, agency and inspiration. We trace the manifesto’s return to prominence in digital form, arguing for its usefulness as a potent discursive artifact. We then describe the Manifesto Machine as a set of tools to help write and disseminate persuasive manifestos, introducing our initial prototype (or probe, as in Reflective Design [20]) as a means of conducting our primary
research, engaging with groups and understanding social practices around declaring principles and beliefs.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 14th International Conference on Advances in Computer Entertainment Technology
PublisherSpringer
Pages557-566
Number of pages10
ISBN (Print)9783319762692
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 21 Feb 2018
Event14th International Conference on Advances in Computer Entertainment Technology - The Shard, London, United Kingdom
Duration: 14 Dec 201716 Dec 2017
http://ace2017.info

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Computer Science
ISSN (Print)0302-9743

Conference

Conference14th International Conference on Advances in Computer Entertainment Technology
Abbreviated titleACE 2017
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityLondon
Period14/12/1716/12/17
Internet address

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • manifestos
  • activism
  • critical design
  • reflective design
  • collaborative virtual environments

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  • Fourth-wave HCI meets the 21st century manifesto: Creative subversion in the 'CHI-verse'

    Ashby, S., Hanna, J., Matos, S., Nash, C. & Faria, A., 19 Nov 2019, Proceedings of the Halfway to the Future Symposium 2019. ACM

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

    Open Access
    File
  • Dissent by Design: A Manifesto for CHI Manifestos

    Hanna, J., Ashby, S., Matos, S., Faria, A. & Ricardo, R., May 2019, Extended Abstracts of the 2019 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. ACM

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

  • Youth, Politics & Civic Participation: the ‘Manifesto Machine’

    Matos, S., Ashby, S., Hanna, J. & Ricardo, R., 2019, Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Communities & Technologies - Transforming Communities. ACM

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

    Open Access
    File

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