CCDN331: P4 A - Manifesto

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Manifesto


(if unreadable, text copy below)

Design is powerful. Design is changing the world. 
Forever bettering. Forever iterating. Forever inspiring.
Look at the world surrounding you.
Embrace the Internet. 
CyberFlaneur.

Part A - Look/Observe
  • Open your eyes and close your mind.
  • Use lots of tabs.
  • Click all the links.
  • Save things that interest you.
  • Get lost on the internet.
  • Take notice.
  • Read.
  • Watch.
  • Listen.
  • Browse hashtags.
  • Look at social media.

Part B - Make/Create
  • Be inspired, or inspire yourself.
  • Try something new everyday.
  • Give context and meaning.
  • Always save.
  • Iterate.
  • Work with colour, or the absence of colour.
  • Look at the digital and the physical copies.

Part C - Remember/Memorize
  • Everything will work out because it has to.
  • Enjoy this moment in time.
  • Not everything needs to have a purpose.
  • Inspire others.
  • Don’t kill anything.
  • Design to remember.
  • Design to share.
  • Design to inspire.
  • Design to change.

The CyberFlaneur is an individual who aimlessly wanders the internet, observing society. Without intent, she/he is able to browse the streets of the internet, observing what is around them. Wandering through websites, topics and social media platforms, the CyberFlaneur has the ability to take inspiration from what they see, applying this new found information to their work as designers and artists. 

Taking in the surrounding world, CyberFlaneurie provides methods of viewing otherwise inaccessible parts of the world, even if it does have a filter. Although looking at our backyard is interesting, we can see variety, and increase the scope of our view. We can get lost in the obscure Instagram hashtags from around the world and get to the weird places on the Internet.

We can take inspiration from other people’s work, lifestyle and experiences. We can make our own lives better as we develop and grow as designers. We can contribute. We can do better work. We can make changes. We can make a difference. We can share. We can be inspired and inspire others.

The Influences + References of CyberFlâneur

The Life of the CyberFlâneur - John Hendel

Hendel paints a good picture of the CyberFlâneur in relation to the original, Parisian Flâneur. Depicting the actions of the CyberFlâneur as one that “‘strolls’ through the information space, taking in the virtual architecture and remaining anonymous.” As well as mentioning the various social media platforms and popular websites, Hendel compares the browsing/surfing of the internet to the observation of society, undertaken by the Flâneur. In another article by Evgeny Morozov, which talks about the death of the CyberFlâneur, Hendel opposes the viewpoints mentioned, and describes the various ways in which the CyberFlâneur continues to live and peruse the internet and seek information. This article was a good comparison of the active CyberFlâneur, to the original depiction of the Flâneur, and how Flâneurie continues to occur in modern society, both in the digital and physical forms.
Hendel, J. (2012, February). The life of the cyberflâneur. The Atlantic. Retrieved from http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/02/the-life-of-the-cyberfl-neur/252687/ 

Streets for Cyborgs: The Electronic Flâneur and the Posthuman City - Debra Benita Shaw

Shaw introduces the concept of the CyberFlâneur with a comparison to the 19th century Flâneur and the introduction of cyberspace and mobile devices as assets. A different approach is taken however, as Shaw not only looks at the changes of the habits of the CyberFlâneur, but also the CyberFlâneur with digital technology in the urban area. In depth research into the changes in human behaviour and characteristics has also changed the way we experience the city and “Flaneur” the surrounding world, as we are assisted by technologies. This was an interesting interpretation of the CyberFlâneur in relation to the urban city. Not only was there a focus on digital technology, but also a comparison of the Flâneur to the CyberFlâneur.

Shaw, D. B. (2015). Streets for cyborgs: the electronic flaneur and the posthuman city. Space and Culture, 18(3), 230-242. doi:10.1177/1206331214560105

Taking A Line For A Walk: Walking As An Aesthetic Practice - Raymond Lucas

Lucas goes into a brief history of the Flâneur and how the practice came to be. With references to Walter Benjamin and Charles Baudelaire, Lucas describes how the Flâneur strolled aimlessly through the streets of Paris and became the observer of society. This was a good interpretation of Walter Benjamin’s writings on the Flâneur, and the aims and goals of the individual Flâneur. Lucas goes on to talk about his own interpretation of the Flâneur and puts this into practice with an example of his own work, ‘Getting Lost in Tokyo’. Although this is a take on the physical work of the Flâneur, wandering through the streets of Tokyo, it is interesting to see another persons work, thoughts and interpretations of a practice that has been around for over one hundred years.
Lucas, R. (2008). ‘Taking a line for a walk’: walking as an aesthetic practice. In T. Ingold & J. L. Vergunst (Eds.), Ways of walking: ethnography and practice on foot (pp. 168-184). Hampshire: Ashgate.

The Death of the CyberFlâneur - Evgeny Morozov

Reading Morozov’s opinions on Flâneurie and the ‘Death of the CyberFlâneur’ made me realise that although there is evidence that the aims and goals have changed slightly over time, the Flâneur, and especially the CyberFlâneur, are not dead. Information and the way we get information has changed, and this has changed the way the Flâneur is able to access information that they don't even know they are looking for. Morozov goes on to talk about Facebook and other social media sites, and how they are changing the Internet game. But this does not mean that the Flâneur isn’t able to aimlessly stumble upon information, through the social media game. This article written by Morozov for The New York Times was helpful, as it put into perspective for me that the CyberFlâneur is still alive, and stronger than ever, with more outlets to pursue.

Morozov, E. (2012, February 4). The death of the cyberflaneur. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/05/opinion/sunday/the-death-of-the-cyberflaneur.html?_r=0 



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I am a designer, currently studying Design Innovation at Victoria University of Wellington. My focus areas are website and mobile media development, interaction design, 3D modelling and animation and audio-visual space. My blog shows my journey through each project as well as my learning experience through university. What do I want to be when I grow up? I have no idea. But I love what I'm learning. Although there have been many bumps along the road in this journey and despite the fact that there are going to be many more, I wouldn't have it any other way.

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