Essay -- 22/23 Ideas in Practice
Highlight an Example of ‘Mistranslation’ in Visual Culture That Has Had Unforeseen Consequences
This essay explores the intricate relationship between photographic images and the concept of ecology within the context of their online circulation, focusing on Amazon’s expansive digital ecosystem. It examines how digital images, once a medium for human expression, have transformed into data points processed by algorithms and machine learning systems.
By analyzing Amazon’s use of the Internet of Things (IoT) and its influence on user behavior through devices like Alexa and platforms such as AWS IoT, the essay argues that photographic media has become a central tool in surveillance capitalism. The discussion extends to how Amazon’s ecosystem leverages user data for predictive modeling and behavioral manipulation, thus shaping consumer habits and infringing on personal autonomy.
The essay concludes by highlighting the urgent need for critical reflection on the balance between technological convenience and privacy in this era of pervasive digital surveillance.