Exposing Power Structures through Augmented Reality Narratives: A Case Study of Mariah

Core Concepts

Augmented reality can be used as a tool to expose power structures, build counter-narratives, and challenge dominant historical accounts through immersive storytelling.

Abstract

The paper presents a case study of the Mariah augmented reality (AR) application, which was designed to expose power structures and challenge dominant narratives around the opioid epidemic and other social issues.
The Mariah app was implemented in two ways:

Exposing "Dirty Money" in Museums: Mariah was used to augment the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Sackler Wing, which was named after the Sackler family who profited from the opioid crisis. The app superimposed images, audio, and video related to the opioid epidemic over the museum's artifacts, creating a virtual memorial for victims. Mariah was also used to create a large-scale, 3D "death clock" installation at the Louvre, which displayed real-time opioid fatalities.

Commemorating Sites of Protest with Mariah: Mariah was later expanded to commemorate historic sites of protest in the San Francisco Bay Area, such as the Black Lives Matter march across the Golden Gate Bridge and the Occupation of Alcatraz by the Indians of All Tribes. The app used AR to overlay these sites with audio and video content that told the stories of resistance against power structures.

The authors argue that Mariah demonstrates how AR can be used to create counter-narratives that expose and challenge power structures, such as capitalism, white supremacy, and patriarchy. They also discuss the legal challenges and questions that arise from exploring the metaverse as a site of protest, particularly around issues of free speech and property rights.
The paper concludes by suggesting that the experimental and subversive use of Mariah can serve as a speculative design probe to explore the potential societal impacts of emerging technologies and collectively envision more just futures.

Stats

From 1997 (when OxyContin was released) to 2017, deaths caused by drug overdoses in the United States increased by 3.6%.
The opioid epidemic has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives in the United States.
The opioid epidemic has exasperated preexisting inequities along the fault lines of race, class, gender, and region.

Quotes

"Mariah is a collaboratively developed initiative that challenges institutional power, including big tech and big pharma, by 'hacking the metaverse' as an act of protest."
"Mariah shifts the narrative focus of the the opioid epidemic and the 'war on drugs' from the individuals suffering from addition, to the people and institutions that caused these crises."
"Mariah is an example of how AR can be leveraged as a tool for examining power and building counter-narratives."

Key Insights Distilled From

Virtual Takeovers in the Metaverse: Interrogating Power in Our Past and Future(s) with Multi-Layered Narratives

by Heather Snyd... at arxiv.org 04-24-2024

https://arxiv.org/pdf/2404.15108.pdf

Deeper Inquiries

How can the use of AR in subversive ways, as demonstrated by Mariah, be expanded to address other social issues and power structures beyond the opioid epidemic and museums?

The use of Augmented Reality (AR) in subversive ways, exemplified by Mariah, can be extended to tackle a myriad of social issues and power structures beyond the scope of the opioid epidemic and museums. By leveraging AR technology to create counter-narratives and expose underlying power dynamics, similar initiatives can shed light on issues such as systemic racism, environmental injustice, gender inequality, and more. For instance, AR applications could be developed to highlight historical sites of racial discrimination, showcase the impact of climate change on communities, or amplify the voices of marginalized groups.
Expanding the use of AR in subversive ways requires a deep understanding of the specific social issues at hand, as well as collaboration with affected communities to ensure authenticity and relevance. By incorporating diverse perspectives and lived experiences into the design and implementation process, AR projects can effectively challenge dominant narratives and empower individuals to engage critically with complex societal issues.

How can the legal and ethical frameworks need to be developed to ensure the metaverse and AR technologies are not dominated by the same power structures that have caused harm in the physical world?

To safeguard against the dominance of existing power structures in the metaverse and AR technologies, robust legal and ethical frameworks must be established. These frameworks should prioritize principles of equity, transparency, and accountability to prevent the replication of systemic injustices in virtual spaces. Key considerations include:

Data Privacy and Ownership: Clear regulations on data collection, storage, and usage to protect user privacy and prevent exploitation by powerful entities.

Content Moderation: Guidelines for monitoring and regulating AR content to prevent the spread of harmful or misleading information that perpetuates existing power imbalances.

Anti-discrimination Measures: Prohibitions against discriminatory practices in AR experiences to ensure inclusivity and diversity in virtual environments.

Community Engagement: Involvement of diverse stakeholders in the development of AR technologies to amplify marginalized voices and address the needs of underserved communities.

Accountability Mechanisms: Mechanisms for holding AR creators and platforms accountable for any harm caused by their technologies, including avenues for redress and restitution.

By proactively addressing these legal and ethical considerations, policymakers and industry stakeholders can create a more equitable and just metaverse that empowers users and mitigates the influence of oppressive power structures.

How can the speculative design approach used in Mariah be further developed to collaboratively envision and build more just, equitable, and liberatory futures through the use of emerging technologies?

The speculative design approach employed in Mariah can be advanced to collectively envision and actualize more just, equitable, and liberatory futures through emerging technologies by:

Community Co-creation: Engaging diverse communities in the design process to co-create speculative scenarios that reflect their aspirations and values.

Intersectional Analysis: Incorporating intersectional perspectives to address the interconnected nature of social issues and power dynamics in future scenarios.

Policy Advocacy: Using speculative design to advocate for policy changes that promote equity and justice in the development and deployment of emerging technologies.

Education and Awareness: Leveraging speculative narratives to raise awareness about the potential impacts of technology on marginalized communities and inspire action towards a more inclusive future.

Collaborative Platforms: Establishing collaborative platforms for interdisciplinary dialogue and knowledge exchange to foster innovation and collective visioning for a better future.

By integrating these strategies into the speculative design process, stakeholders can harness the transformative potential of emerging technologies to co-create a future that prioritizes social justice, equity, and liberation for all.