GHASSAN ALSERAYHI
 MSc. Arch, M. Arch, B. Arch, Assoc. SCE

ARCHITECT + EDUCATOR + RESEARCHER

The Age of Information: The Dilemma of the Algorithmic,
Data-Driven World, and Authority in the Post-Human Era


  The proliferation of information has defined a distinctive way of life in our era, aptly termed the age of information. This age is characterized by rapidly evolving technologies that are integral to our daily lives. These continuous technological innovations enhance our cognitive, emotional, and physical, and most importantly, mental and intellectual capacities. Consequently, this shift is transforming our moral values and political landscapes, propelling us into a post-human state emblematic of "modern life," characterized by a persistent, yet fragmented modernity. Central to this transformation is the algorithm, which, both subtly and overtly, governs various aspects of life. In the realm of architecture, algorithms, initially subtle mathematical components of digital design tools, have in recent decades become pivotal. They now drive architectural outputs with specific rule sets, leading to the creation of architectural forms that surpass traditional limitations. Algorithms have shifted the architectural focus from “stability” to “adaptability.” This shift has catalyzed innovative design approaches like "generative design,” which introduces unforeseen complexities. Going beyond viewing an algorithm merely as a set of instructions, its role in architecture becomes clear: it transforms architectural methods in our post-human epoch. This perspective broadens our understanding of 'material', extending it beyond just physical entities. In this light, material becomes the abstract foundation of creation, inclusive of everything from the designer's mindset to the discussions they partake in during the design process, revealing what was previously hidden.

It is difficult to discuss algorithms without thinking of it as a language invites us to consider the evolution of human thought, particularly the shaping and influence of ideologies since the humanist revolution. This perspective especially pertains to the algorithmic interpretation of emotions and decisions. During the European Middle Ages, authority predominantly stemmed from external sources, such as God, the Holy Book, or the clergy. When faced with questions of morality or ethics, people sought answers from these authoritative figures rather than their own introspection. Consequently, personal dilemmas were commonly addressed by seeking divine intervention or counsel from religious figures, rather than relying on one's reason or judgment. However, the Humanist Revolution marked a significant shift. Authority moved from external sources to the individual, championing the credo, "Think for yourself." The revolution posited that answers lie within us. As a result, humans were placed at the forefront of existence, establishing themselves as the benchmark for all evaluations. This shift permeated various fields, including ethics, art, economics, politics, and education. In this paradigm, subjective feelings became the barometer for judgments, such as good and bad or beautiful and ugly. Thus, the individual — whether viewer, consumer, voter, or reader — became the paramount authority.

Central to the Humanist Revolution was the belief in human free will, and the reliance on intellect and emotions as primary guiding forces. Yet, as Yuval Noah Harari (2017) highlights, this understanding is now challenged. The once-revered notion of "free will" is increasingly seen as a construct, and feelings are viewed as "biochemical algorithms." The human mind is analogized to software running on the brain's hardware, with mental states paralleling computational processes. Modern algorithms, some argue, can emulate and even surpass human emotions, potentially understanding individuals better than they understand themselves. This has led to the idea that all living organisms, including humans, operate algorithmically, a notion that resonates within disciplines like computer science. Emotions, under this lens, are probabilistic outcomes of evolutionary adaptations designed to optimize survival. Hence, while emotions as decision-making tools might have been reliable for millennia, Harari questions the efficacy of this paradigm in the current age. With advancements in technology, newer algorithms might offer more accurate guidance than our intrinsic feelings, challenging our long-held beliefs about decision-making but not free-will.

Central to this part of the area of research is understanding how digital technologies influence both humans and their environment. This part consists of two primary sections. The first investigates the onset of the post-human era driven by technological advancements. The second provides a historical analysis of technology's impact on our built environment, focusing on concepts of urbanity and cities. Cybernetics, a post-second-world-war interdisciplinary study connecting humans, animals, and machines, recurs in both sections. It aimed to clarify the information flow among these entities, merging natural and artificial domains into one theory. Initially, in cybernetics, humans were seen as the main controllers of the relationship between the natural and artificial realms, based on a linear understanding of natural systems. Over time, even as the prominence of cybernetics diminished, it gave rise to scientific approaches that opposed this linear perspective. These views championed the idea that humans are part of vast, complex systems, rather than standing above them. This concept aligns with the modern post-humanist perspective. Yet, a contrasting perspective exists where some scientists and theorists emphasize an anthropocentric view. They believe that through technological evolution, humans will evolve into a superior species, detaching from the natural world. Rosi Braidotti (2013) argues against this capitalist perspective, promoting a post-human era where nature and matter are central, with humans existing in harmony with these elements.

In architectural and urban contexts, Norbert Wiener (1948) initially presented cybernetics as a means to defend American cities against nuclear threats. However, the architectural sphere perceived wider potential in cybernetics beyond its defensive scope. In the UK, figures like Cedric Price, partnering with cyberneticians like Gordon Pask, speculated that digital information systems might lead to adaptive buildings and cities, creating a symbiotic relationship with their users. In France, some architects proposed expansive mega-structures over existing cities, focusing on individual needs and critiquing the shortcomings of modernism. While many of these designs were never realized, modern architects like Francois Roche have revived their concepts, emphasizing the profound influence of network and information technologies on design in a post-industrial age, where central control gives way to intricate, interconnected, post-human collaboration. Expanding the discussions to address network concepts in social theory, including the network society and governance, the cybernetic concepts to be addressed in the research will illustrate and examine their systematic application in Michael Foucault’s concepts of power.






Bibliography

  1. Harari, Yuval Noah. "Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow." London: Harvill Secker, 2017.
  2. Braidotti, Rosi. "The Posthuman." Cambridge: Polity Press, 2013.
  3. Wiener, Norbert. "Cybernetics: Or Control and Communication in the Animal and the Machine." Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1948.
  4. Price, Cedric. "The Square Book." Chichester: Wiley-Academy, 2003. (Note: Cedric Price's work spanned various projects; this book provides an overview of his contributions.)
  5. Pask, Gordon. "Conversation Theory: Applications in Education and Epistemology." Amsterdam: Elsevier, 1976. (Note: Pask's work in cybernetics and its applications are detailed in this book.)
  6. Roche, Francois. "Speculations. (S+M+L-XL)." Paris: FRAC Centre, 2003. (Note: This work by Roche explores architectural speculations, relevant to the themes mentioned.)
  7. Foucault, Michel. "Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison." Translated by Alan Sheridan. New York: Vintage Books, 1977.