Discussion Group

This week, I signed up for the Roundtable session. I had the opportunity to share my project with other students and present my current direction. Through this discussion, I received valuable feedback from lecturers Yasser and Nicholas, which helped me reflect on how I was communicating my concept and identify areas that required further clarity and development.

I shared my research on precedents related to biometric data, tracing how systems have evolved from traditional passwords to fingerprints, and now to facial recognition. These methods are already embedded in everyday infrastructures that we rely on, such as Singpass, Face ID, and ICA immigration e-gates. By highlighting these familiar systems, I aimed to show how biometric authentication has gradually become normalised, shifting from something optional to an expected and seamless part of daily interactions with technology.

I also presented the concept behind World of Brainrot, explaining how it was inspired by the idea that our micro behaviours such as clicks, likes, watch time, are constantly being captured, and fed back into the system. These seemingly insignificant actions accumulate over time, allowing systems to build increasingly detailed profiles of users. This reflects how our everyday interactions are not neutral, but actively contribute to shaping how systems understand, predict, and influence us.

Feedback Breakdown

Narrative & Concept Clarity

The idea of The Grid is compelling, but the core message is unclear. There is an uncertainty between the loss of individuality vs collective. They raised an interesting question: Is the "scary" nature of the grid intentional? I need to have a clearer stance on whether the work critiques the loss of individuality, the formation of a collective identity, or both.

Research Direction Focus

There are too many overlapping themes. The feedback emphasised that my research needs to be singular and streamlined. I should focus on one clear path, rather than diluting the project with too many ideas.

Strength of Worldbuilding

The concept of The Grid is strong. It shows the idea that everyone behaves the same, deviation will make you an anomoly. The idea of a controlled system where conformity is enforced and individuality becomes visible as deviation.

Part C Weakness

The final output is not convincing. It felt like a visual layer that lacks conceptual depth and integration. I need to develop further on how to merge biometric + behavioural data meaningfully, show how the system reconstructs identity. Can I explore morphing the user into system's interpretation?

References & Inspirations

Nicholas suggested looking at Rick and Morty, and The Simpsons. They have great use of archetypes, multiple versions of identity, dark humour to surface discourse. These references highlight how complex ideas about identity and systems can be communicated through accessible, yet critical narratives.

Micro-Expression Monitor

In this exploration, I pulled out the subject's eyes and mouth into separate screens to create a "micro-expression monitor." I used face-api.js for the age and gender classification probabilistic. This isolation works as a detection for the user's blinking and gaze, while the mouth is best for emotion. The rest of the face works as the identification for the other demographics.

However, this prototype is quite a problem as I only isolated the eyes and the mouth, but it is not an accurate representation. The system would struggle to tell the difference if it only uses the subject's eyes and mouth. There would be an issue if there are people with similar features. It is the spatial relationship between the parts that makes the data accurate.

Tasks Classification

Next, I explored creating a three-stage behavioural task function as the Behavioural layer of The Grid. Identity here is no longer defined by physical traits, but by patterns of action. By asking users to complete a series of tasks, the system captured their decisions, responses, and micro-behaviours, which are then translated into JSON data.

This data is used to categorise them into a specific "class citizen", reinforcing the idea that within The Grid, identity is not self-declared, but assigned based on how one behaves within the system. It reflects how everyday interactions are constantly being monitored, and used to construct profiles that determine how individuals are understood and positioned. I wanted to make visible how your actions are not just expressions of self, but inputs that determine your place within a structured, data-driven society.

Stage 1: Pattern Tracing
This stage requires users to follow a specific geometric sequence on the grid by dragging their cursor through nodes in a precise order. The "shakiness" of the cursor, speed between nodes, distance cursor drifts from the "ideal" path are data that are being collected.

Stage 2: Memory Recall
Users are shown a randomised alphanumeric string for a split second. It will vanish and they must type it back from memory. The time between the code vanishing and their first keystroke, rhythm of typing, how they handled a mistake like using the backspace are data that are being collected.

Stage 3: Eliminate Anomaly
A moving "anomaly" target moves and bounces around the viewfinder. Users must intercept it by clicking it 10 times as it moves and accelerates. Their reaction time between the anomaly appearing in a new spot and click, the number of "miss-clicks", are all data that are being collected.

Identity Reconstruction

For the identity construction, users are required to upload the image of their eyes and mouth from the biometric side, and their JSON data extracted from the behavioural side. Once uploaded, their algorithmic identity is being reconstructed using the unique information contained within the files. The two images act as the blueprint. The code scans the images to find where light and shadow fall to create the "shape" of the identity.

By using the two images, the system will simulate a stereoscopic to allow the visual to have more depth. The pixels from the imaes are shredded into thousands of coordinates. While the image provides the shape, the JSON file provides the texture and behaviour. The system extracts every unique character from the JSON file and uses them to build the face, showing how the person is literally made up of their own data. It is like looking at a mathematical visualisation of a person's digital footprint.

‼️⚠️ CREATIVE CRASHOUT ⚠️‼️

After presenting these works to Andreas, it seems like it is obvious that I am at the state of project fatigue. It has become overwhelming because of my technical skill issue and unresolved direction. I can't seem to frame and communicate the project well. It needs to be simplified and made more accessible. I am not satisfied with ANY OUTCOMES. I should probably focus on the image-making, refine and expand on my existing visual outputs rather than generating new directions.

There are alternative formats and deliverables like using a video to explain the narrative, comic storytelling, series of short narratives, publication using existing works. I definitely should not forget or throw away the exhibit proposal...