Week 12

References:

Forensic Architecture

A fantastic and interesting website that showcases the use of technology to figure out crimes.

One I particularly liked was Herbicidal Warefare in Gaza. Israelian military operations will send in planes of herbicide over fields of crops to improve visibility on the border.

A video was sent in from a lady named Gisha, that shows an aeroplane spraying herbicide all over the crops. From this video, forensics were able to identify the model of the plane. GPS location of videographer was used to establish the dimensions of visual landmarks such as the watchtower. Path of plane was monitored. 20 metres altitude to get closer to ground to spray for 2-5 seconds. Linear paths of going back and forth to cover the area.

Simulate spray path using a fluoro dynamics expert to show the colours and impact of spray from a distance. As wind moves, it carries the chemicals with it. 300m drift. Vegetation degradation is shown. Samples of leaves with characteristic damage. They were records of evidence of this event.

Technology shows how much we are able to detect and track events happening worldwide. The advancement of computers and satellites means we are able to monitor and track events for evidence. This is a great example of how technology has shifted its application to benefit cases exploring illegal practise.

Anab Jan – Why we need to imagine different futures:

Air in 2030 if we continue to live the lifestyle we live, is extremely pollutant. Government officials were provided proof that no amount of data could – a physical air generating lab with toxic air to re-enact 2030’s air. This influenced the choice of their announcement – billions of dollars of renewables were to be invested in their economy.

This is another interesting perspective on how technology can benefit the world, but this being more specific – how technology can benefit the future using sustainable practice. I believe that we are in our prime time, and there are ultimately no excuses for companies to not be thinking of sustainable alternatives for our future. Technology has been able to provide haunting predictions of our future and companies need to act now.