Our lived experiences are at odds with how the tech we use is designed. The unintended consequences of platforms and infrastructure are identified by many as a causality of converging global problems, from mental health to cybersecurity, environmental malpractice to political radicalisation, corruption and violence.
When technology fails, we look for someone to blame. If our systems cannot cope with these failures, then it is hopeless to demand better people: we need better systems.
Published from Berlin, the New Design Cables are a short summary of current work by the New Design Congress, a research group developing a nuanced understanding of technology's role as a social, political and environmental accelerant.
These transmissions are delivered irregularly, but always deliberately.