Critical Context Part 2

​1. At this stage, are there any specific questions/headings that were prompted so far? What are you interested to explore?

What are you curious about? What are you passionate about? What are you angry about? What do you think you can do better? Choose a subject that you feel very strongly about, and one that you feel the most invested in, even if it makes no sense to others.

As I’ve set my particular subject and the tone of voice of representation as frustration and satirical respectively, To dive deeper into the topic, I’ve questioned myself the following questions to delve into something potentially expandable which helps to construct the basis of my project:

1. What makes people angry the most?

2. What caused them to behave like that?

3. What phenomenon caused it?

The questions that need to be prompted to form a design concept based on the prompted question above:

1. Which group of people are the most involved in the phenomenon mentioned above?

2. What is my objective/intention for the project?

3. What message did I want to convey?

4. What concept could best represent it?

2. Is there a specific proposition/ judgment/ opinion that you have regarding this question/concept?

• People with undesirable traits and behaviours usually caused great frustration for others. This is because the ones who get frustrated couldn’t do anything about it due to the constraints of their morality and rationality.

• Desires and attitudes are closely linked and shape a person's actions, as they contribute to negative or detrimental desires and are reflected in their attitude.

• Desires refer to strong cravings or longings, ranging from basic needs to more complex aspirations. Attitudes are the beliefs and judgements individuals hold about themselves, others, and the world.

• These attitudes influence how they perceive and respond to different situations, ultimately affecting their behaviour that contribute to societal problems and often serve as a source of annoyance and anger.

• Arrogance and self-righteousness contribute to their behavior, with an inflated sense of superiority and entitlement.

• Boundless greed plays a significant role in driving their actions, prioritizing personal gain over the well-being of others.

• Psychological, societal, and cultural factors influence these traits and behaviors.

• The internet has created a platform for the proliferation of public displays of ignorance.

• Ignorance in the face of abundant knowledge is a conscious choice made by individuals.

• Social media platforms amplify uninformed opinions and reinforce echo chambers.

“Humanity is so latched onto what sparkles from the screen. It's easy to

believe what appears on it but not to know the truth behind it just because it's

so much more interesting than the mundane. That is why people take it over

reality. I rather like the "but can you trust it?" perspective it takes on it.”

• The game "Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4" critiques society's preference for superficial allurements and neglect of deeper understanding.

“There are more bodies outside

It just became a habit, I don’t care

You know, those guys do care more

In fact, the body is nothing, the mind is more of the problem

Uh, yeah, I myself, don’t know, huh

F*** the AI, f*** the algorithm

I need to think, f*** all the rhythm

My biorhythm gives me no time to think”

• The lyrics from the song "All Day" by RM and Tablo express detachment, frustration with AI and algorithms, and the need for personal reflection.

• Media, superficiality, and external pressures influence individuals' emotional states and erode critical thinking.

​3. Draw a concept map to help you articulate your thoughts for this part.

Address the different contexts that may relate to your subject matter; Elaborate on the different content and concepts that you have researched regarding your specific question.

Miro Board Link

1. Automated Thinking Process and The Echo Chamber Phenomenon

In the digital realm, individuals often find themselves exposed to a limited range of information that aligns with their existing beliefs, preferences, and biases. This phenomenon, commonly referred to as the “echo chamber” or “filter bubble,” occurs when algorithms and personalised recommendation systems present individuals with content that reinforces their preconceived notions. As a result, people are subjected to a continuous stream of information that confirms their viewpoints, offering fewer opportunities for exposure to diverse perspectives or alternative viewpoints. Consequently, the echo chamber perpetuates a cycle where individuals become increasingly entrenched in their beliefs, reinforcing their anger and frustration when confronted with dissenting opinions or conflicting information. This selective exposure not only hampers critical thinking but also contributes to the spread of misinformation and polarisation within society.

2. Influence of Social Media

Social media platforms have become prominent sources of information, entertainment, and social interaction, exerting a significant influence on individuals’ emotions and behaviours. One reason people are heavily influenced by what they see on social media is the Social Comparison Theory. When exposed to idealised representations of others on these platforms, individuals may experience feelings of envy, decreased self-esteem, and a desire to conform to societal beauty standards of lifestyles. Moreover, product recommendations, online reviews, and endorsements from peers on social media platforms impact individuals’ purchasing decisions, further intensifying their reliance on these platforms. Additionally, emotional content encountered on social media platforms can elicit specific emotions, shaping individuals’ moods and behaviours. The fear of missing out (FOMO) is another psychological factor that drives individuals to conform, participate in trends, or engage in activities solely for the purpose of maintaining social acceptance or feelings of connectedness. Consequently, these influences on social media reinforce existing beliefs, limit exposure to diverse perspectives, and contribute to the spread of misinformation, thereby heightening individuals’ anger and frustration.

3. Feeling Trapped and Helpless

When an individual experiences frustration, they often find themselves trapped and powerless, feelings as though they are caught in an unchangeable situation. This can be a bewildering experience because, on one hand, they possess a vibrant imagination that enables them to generate creative problem-solving ideas. They can envision various ways to resolve issues and improve things in their minds. However, the complexity of reality complicates matters. There are practical limitations and obstacles in the external world that hinder the implementation of their imaginative ideas. Consequently, a sense of helplessness and increased frustration may ensue.

4. The Nature of People

In addition to the external factors discussed, inherent aspects of human nature contribute to the prevalence of anger and frustration in the digital age. Desires and attitudes, such as greed, arrogance, and self-righteousness. Furthermore, individuals often display a selective ignorance of new information or alternative perspectives, favouring confirmation of their existing knowledge and beliefs. This confirmation bias hinders their ability to engage in critical thinking and open-mindedness, further intensifying feelings of frustration and anger. Additionally, the allure of superficial trends and easy-digest information can easily attract individuals, diverting their attention from substantive matters and perpetuating shallow behaviours.

Why this idea is important to consider now in this time and age? (so you will have to show you are culturally/ socially aware of its relation to current issues)

The attitude of arrogance, self-righteousness, and boundless greed can lead individuals to engage in undesirable behaviour that frustrates others. When people are heavily influenced by what they see on social media, it can have a profound impact on their actions and beliefs. Some individuals may get caught in a vicious cycle, while others strive to maintain their individuality and resist becoming mere copycats following silly trends and unnecessary waves.

A significant issue arises when individuals choose to believe only what aligns with their preconceived notions and deliberately remain selectively ignorant. They abandon the ability to analyse, identify, and think independently, instead opting for convenience and going with the flow without verifying the truth or significance of information and depths. This mindset allows them to hide behind anonymity while using their malice-filled anger against others, further exacerbating the problem.

These attitudes and influences can permeate into one’s everyday life and personal beliefs, shaping their behaviour and decisions. It can further contribute to various criminal cases and social phenomena. Here are some examples:

1. Black Lives Matter

A decentralised political and social movement highlighting racial injustice and police brutality faced significant backlash from individuals who refused to acknowledge or address the systemic issues at hand. This attitude perpetuated the frustration and division surrounding the movement.

2. Murder of Abby Choi

A murder motivated by a financial disagreement between Abby Choi and her ex-husband’s family, the attitude of arrogance, self-righteousness and greed manifested in individuals who believe they have the right to harm or take the life of another person, disregarding the value of human life.

3. Nth Room Case

This notorious criminal case involved a large-scale online sexual exploitation and blackmail ring in South Korea. The perpetrators’ attitudes of boundless greed and arrogance fueled their heinous actions, exploiting vulnerable individuals for personal gain.

4. Cambodia Human Trafficking

The issue of human trafficking is often fueled by individuals driven by boundless greed, seeking to profit from the exploitation and suffering of others.

5. Russian Invasion of Ukraine

In geopolitical conflicts, the actions of nations can be driven by arrogance, self-righteousness, and a desire for territorial expansion or control, disregarding the sovereignty and well-being of other nations.

6. 19-20 Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill Movement

The protests in Hong Kong against the proposed extradition bill were met with individuals who selectively ignored the concerns and demands of the protesters, leading to further discontent and unrest.

In short, these attitudes can hinder critical thinking and independent analysis, leading individuals to be selectively ignorant and resistant to challenging their beliefs. It is crucial to promote empathy, open-mindedness, and a willingness to seek truth and understanding to counteract these negative effects.

How are you going to go about your research? Is it through a series of interviews? case studies? What is the research methodology you have applied or are going to apply while doing your research? What are the objectives of your research? What do you wish to learn to further support your observations?

Field of Project

The project will be an experimental and discursive piece that showcases an introspective process of self-exploration, delving into my anger and frustration, while expressing frustration with undesirable traits and behaviour exhibited by individuals. Furthermore, it aims to promote empathy, open-mindedness, and a willingness to seek truth and understanding to counteract these negative effects.

Research Framework

The research framework will be divided into two parts: primary and secondary research. The primary research will involve observing individuals who exhibit undesirable traits and behaviour, while the secondary research will encompass references from annotated bibliographies, articles and journals. This research will explore the interrelation of human emotions, the cognitive theory of one's experience can affect emotions and decision-making, the motivation driven by negative emotions, the contextualization of visual communication, and the implication of textures.

Wish to Learn

Through this project, there are three spectrums that I wish to learn more to further support my observation or research:

1. The interconnection between human traits, behaviour and sins

2. The relationship between automated thinking process with humanity (algorithm)

3. The interrelation between humanity and capitalism