This is a sort of response to Bruce Sterling's "Stop Saying Smart Cities" article released earlier this year.
It was an insightful article - it gave voice to many of the fears we all harbor as humans navigating these always new integrated spaces. It also identified the bullshit that surrounds much of our incentive for integration. Data, our data, in all its complexities, is a highly desired resource. It can be used for so many innovative ventures - but it's usually used for advertising and other capitalistic plans. Ideally, if we can collect all the right data and a LOT of it, we can always give our users exactly what they want. This doesn't sound all that bad, as a user, I am glad when I receive ads and coupons for the things I really use. But Sterling highlights that it's not a future we should encourage.
I agree, wholeheartedly. If we continue with the "smart" city vision we've got going right now, all we'll be left with is half-baked, chaotic, systematically oppressive algorithmic technologies in our cities and neighborhoods. Sketchy at best. He postulates that in bad parts of the city, the algorithms would shuffle all deviant behavior right into prison.
He's right in so many ways - but I choose to disagree with his bitterness. There's nothing bright in this future he's imagined and although it may be shallow to discount his fears on account of my sanity - I choose to imagine something more fantastic. Do not confuse me with an idealist. Or worse, an optimist. I would rather you see me as a slightly hopeful student - still clinging to the potential of decency as to not hang myself during finals. I hope, that through the digital humanities, STEAM (not STEM), other humanistic integrations and discussions, we can come to a safer, less shitty outcome. I hope that the smart cities that Bruce Sterling say don't and won't ever exist, are something I (and my classmates, my cohorts, and other bad ass tech friends) can bring into fruition.
Why can't I have a city that supports and interests me by using my data? Why can't we use SPIMES as a wholehearted way to reduce excess and solve our materials problems? Why can't we use surveillance as a way to stop the most horrible things from happening? What I wouldn't give to have cameras in the parking lot where I was assaulted. Or technology in the building I was harassed in. Or something that could alert the police when my cousin was stolen, never to be seen again. Why am I not entitled to a smart city with smart schools and smart technology?