Korte beschrijving/Annotatie

Activistic photobook on the addictive mechanisms of algorithms used by digital platforms based on the pigeon-learning experiments performed by B.F. Skinner.

Tekst achterflap

Hades was a powerful god in classical Greek mythology. His ‘Helmet of Darkness’ enabled him and the other gods to be invisible during their sometimes-ambiguous quests. Therefore, the helmet became proverbial for those who conceal their true nature... Digital platforms such as Uber, Amazon, Tinder and Airbnb, with their invisible Hades-esque algorithms, have drastically changed social structures and human behaviour — and not always for the better. They have given a completely new meaning to such concepts as work, employment, dating and tourism. The invasive nature of their algorithms is said to be largely derived from the extremely addictive mechanisms of the gaming industry and the classical pigeon-learning experiments performed last century by American psychologist B.F. Skinner. Jansen’s intriguing fifth book offers a surprising critical artistic view of the downside of the digital platform economy.

Slogan/Promotie

Hades was a powerful god in classical Greek mythology. His ‘Helmet of Darkness’ enabled him and the other gods to be invisible during their sometimes-ambiguous quests. Therefore, the helmet became proverbial for those who conceal their true nature... Digital platforms such as Uber, Amazon, Tinder and Airbnb, with their invisible Hades-esque algorithms, have drastically changed social structures and human behaviour — and not always for the better. They have given a completely new meaning to such concepts as work, employment, dating and tourism. The invasive nature of their algorithms is said to be largely derived from the extremely addictive mechanisms of the gaming industry and the classical pigeon-learning experiments performed last century by American psychologist B.F. Skinner. Jansen’s intriguing fifth book offers a surprising critical artistic view of the downside of the digital platform economy.

Biografie

Jos Jansen (NL) is a visual artist. He holds a master’s degree in psychology from Radboud University Nijmegen, the Netherlands. In addition, he studied documentary photography and film at AKV|St. Joost, Academy for Art and Design in the Netherlands (BA and MA). He obtained his bachelor’s degree with honours (cum laude) in 2012. Jansen’s work spans photography, film, data visualisation, writing and psychology. His chief concerns include learning to see where people’s boundaries lie, especially in relation to technology, science and nature. Do we still control technology – or does technology control us? Although he takes reality as a starting point, his narratives intend to be personal and subjective, bridging the divide between reality and fiction, and between art and documentary. Photo books, writings, exhibitions and video installations are favourite media to present his work.

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