A Utopia Without Bias

Essays

Sept 21
A Utopia Without Bias is an artistic essay accompanied by a visual language. It was created for the module "Reboot Design Technology" lectured by Dr. Joëlle Bitton.

Imagine a world without biases.

The visuals should espouse the spoken words and asked questions. We all do have biases, which in the end, are reflected unconsciously in our work, society and algorithms. This essay attempts to go on a journey imagining a world without biases.
How would your world look like? What would that change? What's your most prominent bias?

We all have biases that are ultimately unconsciously reflected in our work, society, and algorithms. This essay attempts to embark on a journey to imagine a world without prejudice. The images are meant to support the words spoken and questions asked and give space to engage in the travel to blur and erase your own biases.

How would your world look?

What would it change? What is your most important prejudice?

Biases are part of what makes us human – those little brain shortcuts that help us quickly process what we see.

Got bias?

Yes, we all do.  Biases are part of what makes us human – those little brain shortcuts that help us quickly process what we see.

But attitudes or stereotypes we unconsciously associate with others affect our everyday lives, and we grapple with them in our work every day.  Recognizing biases and keeping them in check is an ongoing process. But what if they have never existed in the first place? 

Let's reboot our biases. 

Imagine that implicit bias did not exist. How would having no bias change your life? The world? The interactions in between?
Would there be more love?
Would we be able to hate?
Would people still get bullied?
Would we be more resentful?
Would the harmony increase?
What would be privilege look like?
Would we as humans be more empathic?
Would there be discrimination with another root?
Would minorities exist? Would we defînd them?

Would we all be the same?
Would we have different opinions?
How would the communication change?
What language would we speak?

Would there be different clothing styles?
Would we have all the same taste?
Would there be more diversity of all kinds?

How would we date?
How would that affect the culture we live in?
Would we have build culture?
Would violence exist?
Would we have war?

A lack of action towards change as a designer is not a neutral position; it is still a decision towards leaving hegemonic power structures unchecked.

Our thoughts do not define us. We all have biases, and we won't eliminate them, but we can be more aware and change our actions accordingly.
This all starts with each one of us.
If we put curiosity above prejudice, maybe we can change the world.
And believing you can change the world is the first step to changing it.