No.10: CONSPICUOUS CURATION: THE PANOPTICON OF TASTE

Why does everything we know and love have to be shared with the world?

One theory of ours is that contemporary digital life has created a sort of "panopticon of taste", in which we are all fairly willing captives.

At every turn — in a 360 degrees circle, to be true to the metaphor — we're encouraged to constantly share the newest find while others watch and judge, typically from great virtual distance.

We have a view into all of the activities and interests of all of those we "follow", and if internet protocol is correctly adhered to, they also see us.

If the second half of the twentieth century was the era of "conspicuous consumption", we have surely entered a new era, one of "conspicuous curation".

Today, it's less about what you own and more about who you follow, where you go, and what you know.

There are two main reasons for this.

First, Instagram. In many ways IG is the new business card. It's often then first point of contact with someone on a night or day out. But that's just beginning. From there, it's a constant battle to retain the interest

Second, iPhone cameras. Everywhere. Now, it almost feels harder not take a picture of something that you feel the need to curate for your followers.

The most insidious thing about the development of Conspicuous Curation versus Conspicuous Consumption is that it used to be tough to buy taste. Now it's available more and more for free — provided you know the right places to look and who to follow.

To be clear, Postmodern Tectonics is fully engaged in this digital racket, to a degree. It's requisite for any company. Especially one involved in the business of taste. And we thank you for your follow-ship!

But it's our hope that, through what we design and bring into the world and how we even do that, that we're able to minimize the performative nature of modern life and maximize the substance.

That's why our approach to making is an attempt to honor, and perhaps mirror the the earlier days of the internet, where there were at least some barriers to entry...

Curiosity. A little bit of ability. And the drive to make stuff because you wanted to, not because you needed to.

So it's wrong that "Gatekeeping" has become a byword for creative small mindedness, even spitefulness.

But what is to become of a world where good taste is available to all?

How will we discern the trend makers from the trend fakers?