#material agency

[urbanlabglobalcities]

To my knowledge, no architectural theory in history has acknowledged that the engine of architectural discourse has often been built on excuses rather that visions. The excuse is an intermediate figure between desires and constraints that has long deserved a more thorough theorization. The purpose of such theory would be not only to legitimize this practice but to also demonstrate its generating potential of an architectural program.

The Sniper's Log | Alejandro Zaera Polo | published by Actar Editorial, 2012, p. 268

[rocketboytom]

Hmm... This got me doing a lot of thinking about the ways social media like Facebook try to restrict the choices of users. You think you are freely building an online identity but in reality you are mostly adopting a sanctioned identity constructed from those characteristics the system allows. Even though subverting the system has become a bit of a sport for some, for many "the range of consciousness" may truly be getting smaller as their activities are increasingly mediated through the restricted range of expression the system allows.

[rocketboytom]

I saw this notice next to the new photocopier at work. The highlighted section roughly translates to:

Through 'automatic error reporting' the machine will order toner cartridges for itself.

Interesting how responsibility for keeping the photocopier going has been translated from an administrator or 'everyone who uses it' to the machine itself. It exerts its agency by ordering the things it needs to keep working.