I came across a very interesting App launched by contemporary artist Ekene Ijeoma. It is supposed to be more an artwork than a technical thing, but I find it extremely useful and relevant!
As funny as it sounds, this app is actually designed for you to stop using your mobile device. It's called Look Up - https://www.androidexperiments.com/experiment/look-up.
And here's how it works.
The app connects to the NYC traffic department and gets the data of all the crashes and injuries that the occurred on each intersection. Then when you walk looking in your phone, as you approach at this intersection the big eyes appear on your screen inviting you to look up instead of staring in your phone.
Interestingly enough, the eyes actually reflect the number of injuries that occurred in this particular intersection. The more the crashes, the more your phone will vibrate and the pupils of that eyes will have more and more circles...
Sounds scary. But it's actually beautiful!
The artist's idea was not so much about the traffic security though, but it's an invitation for people to stop staring at their phones and finally a look at each other and the world around us.
“I’m always cycling, seeing people walking and looking down at their phone as if they’re somewhere else when they’re right in front of me,” Ijeoma explained. “Where is there a space in this city where we can just be aware of each other and the city itself?”
And I cannot agree more! Especially with the launch of Pokémon go:) when I see these crowds in New York City walking like zombies and staring in their phones, it's at least uncomfortable.
“I was thinking of it as sort of a ritual,” the artist says. “You have cultural etiquettes already. What if in New York City it was like ‘Hey, we’re going to make intersections a space for no phones?’”
Even though it's clearly just art experimenting with technology, rather than a breakthrough app (now only on Android, they launch it on iOS in August), I see that it can make a difference.
"The app is just to prompt you to participate in that experience. It’s about what happens after you look up.” - Ijeoma.
And I really feel like we need this experience! :)
