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adversarial interfaces

user interfaces rhetoric reveal its politics / critical perspectives on what user interfaces could be

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  • about
  • introduction
  • adversarial interfaces
  • case studies
  • theoretical scaffolding

Adversarial interfaces is a critical analysis the rhetoric of certain user interfaces. With this analysis and critique the project proposes ways (see menu items) by which to practically and discursively adapt our understandings of computer and network infrastructures in the aim of resisting seamless integrations of software and interfaces as totalitised spaces with no alternatives and no outsides.

The title of this site and project appends the idea of Adversarial Design to interfaces. At its core this project exists as an expression of a need for agonism in the field of user interface design.

Adversarial design: (Carl DiSalvo) a type of political design that evokes and engages political issues. Adversarial Design does the work in expressing and enabling agonism.

Agonism: (Chantal Mouffe) a political theory that emphasises the potentially positive aspects of certain forms of political conflic.

Seamless interface: two (or more) computer programs that are carefully joined together so that they appear to be a single program with a single user interface. A seamless interface will conceal the fact that it is created from two or more different programs.

the internet: (Critical Engineers) a deeply misunderstood set of technologies upon which we increasingly depend.

Adversarial interfaces is research in progress. This sites first itteration exists to mark a point at the finalisation of a masters degree in media design and communication by Colm O'Neill.

To visually support the idea of agonism and adversivity, the astrological aspect symbol for oppostion is employed. ☍ is described as “The glyph of the Conjunction plus a circle on top of its line, implying two objects are in front (opposed) of each other.” Detailing placings of 180° opposition.

Site generated by Pelican, sources located at git.xpub.nl and gitlab.com, fonts in use are Belgica-Belgika (OFL 1.1) and HK Grotesk (OFL), licence for the content is AGPLv3. If any otherwise copyrighted content found it's way here, please get in touch, I will remove it ASAP.
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Articles in the theoretical scaffolding category:


category
title
date
tags
  • theoretical scaffolding
    Notes on ‘The Mismanaged heart’ by William Davies
    February 2017
    not tagged
  • theoretical scaffolding
    the mismanaged heart — William Davies
    August 2016
    draft status
  • theoretical scaffolding
    smart gadgets, dumb humans — Evgeny Morozov
    January 2013
    draft status
  • theoretical scaffolding
    the outside of networks [...] — Ulises Ali Mejias
    January 2013
    draft status
  • theoretical scaffolding
    adversarial design — Carl DiSalvo
    April 2012
    draft status
  • theoretical scaffolding
    the interface effect — Alexander Galloway
    January 2012
    draft status
  • theoretical scaffolding
    transparency and opacity — Edouard Glissant
    January 2010
    draft status
  • theoretical scaffolding
    tactics of nonexistance — A. Galloway & E. Thacker
    January 2007
    draft status
  • theoretical scaffolding
    the impossiblity of interface — Matthew Fuller
    January 2003
    draft status
  • theoretical scaffolding
    it looks like you're writing a letter — Matthew Fuller
    September 2000
    draft status
  • theoretical scaffolding
    for an agonistic model of democracy — Chantal Mouffe
    January 2000
    draft status
  • theoretical scaffolding
    surveillance and capture — Philip E. Aigre
    January 1994
    draft status


Adversarial interfaces is a research project by Colm O'Neill, for any enquiries, suggestions or contact, write to mail@colm.be.