unsocial networking
2014
Unsocial Networking is a project that explores the hidden social structures and rules that govern and inform behavior on social networking platforms.
These explorations take the form of interactions based on “glitch” theory, - a technique used in Sociology and Psychology. By violating commonly accepted online social rules; Unsocial Networking “breaks the system”. Glitch theory suggests that by examining people’s reactions to these violations something of the systems otherwise hidden structure (that made these social reactions possible) is revealed (1).
Intrigued by the social media phenomenon of food photo postings, I set up a system that automatically posted a public Facebook status “Hi Adam, your laundry is finished. Please pick up your laundry from washer x” whenever the washing machine completed its cycle.
The second experiment involved automating Tinder match notifications directly onto my Facebook wall. Every time I matched with someone on Tinder the match would be posted as a status update.
References:
1) Rafalovich, A. 'Making Sociology Relevant: The Assignment And Application Of Breaching Experiments'. Teaching Sociology 34.2 (2006): 156-163. Web.
