The video above was played during the introduction to this unit and provided a view of a potential future, where death simply became a new form of consciousness. The ideas within it have been explored in the past- indeed there have been many movies (i.e. The Matrix Trilogy) and books which have toyed the idea of a digital reality for the future. Even within this weeks reading "Innovations that will change your tomorrow", Tim Wu recognises a "brain map", which maps every neural connection in your mind- a clear predecessor to this above technology, as having future potential.
Without exploring the various technological, psychological and physical issues, the architectural response to this would be exciting to fantasise. However, the realisation of this technology may have various physical needs.
If one were to assume a "Matrix" style reality, then physically the architectural needs would be some form of "pod" system in which humans could be kept alive. Even if it were just the comatose bodies of the "dead", the needs would not be much different.
If it were only the consciousnesses of those who had deceased that was kept "alive" in the network, then perhaps all that would be needed would be a secure facility in which to store the masses of technology and computer equipment required.
Indeed, architecturally, the needs of this future potential seem to be arbitrary at best. Without consciousness, architecture would not really matter. If architecture is in the experience of it, then does a move toward a digital reality reduce its applicability? Even in a world where we are "connected" at every moment of every day, do physical or "real" experiences have less meaning? At which point will our physical reality mean less than our virtual one?
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