Semi-infinite bodies: Towards a critical language of the unapparent

Abstract

This paper explores some of the implications of the term 'wearable technology. The author argues that the notion of wearability betrays a materialistic view of technology which may not be helpful for designers to find the means of fully facilitating the functionality of technology. It is argued that by taking the view that technology can be considered an extensive form of humanity a space can be opened for designers to explore how the body can be considered as an architecture for facilitating consciousness and that which we consider technology to be a means of distributing consciousness by means of an extended body. The paper/presentation sketches out a new design territory, whereby non-apparent activity might be facilitated. The paper calls into question some current approaches to usability founded in socio-cultural metaphors and is intended to provoke thought rather than to provide answers.