nrc.nl
Noorderlicht Biënnale: Technology's Control Over Nature
The Noorderlicht Biënnale's "Machine Entanglements" exhibition in the Netherlands uses art installations to explore how technology shapes and controls nature, examining its impact on agriculture and wildlife through data collection and AI.
- What specific examples from the artworks illustrate the transition from observing nature to actively controlling and manipulating it?
- The exhibition reveals technology's pervasive influence on both agriculture and wildlife. Chun Hua Catherine Dong's AI-generated images depict the future of her flood-prone village, demonstrating technology's role in visualizing and potentially managing environmental challenges. The art underscores how data collection and analysis enable significant control over natural processes, from tomato ripening to cow feed.
- What potential ethical concerns or unintended consequences does the exhibition raise regarding the growing integration of technology into natural systems?
- The Biënnale suggests a future where technological control over nature becomes increasingly prevalent. The ability to engineer plants and monitor animal behavior raises ethical questions about the balance between human intervention and natural processes. This raises concerns about potential unforeseen consequences of prioritizing control over ecological balance.
- How does the Noorderlicht Biënnale demonstrate the increasing technological control over natural processes, illustrating its impact on both agriculture and wildlife?
- The Noorderlicht Biënnale showcases art installations exploring the entanglement of technology, humanity, and nature. Špela Petric's "Operational Bodies" uses tomatoes in a greenhouse to illustrate how technology shapes and controls nature, while Stijn Terpstra's "Through the Opera Glass" tracks bird migration data, highlighting the shift from observation to control.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing emphasizes the negative consequences of technology's impact on nature, focusing on control and manipulation. Headlines and subheadings consistently highlight the controlling aspects of technology, potentially shaping the reader's perception towards a predominantly negative view. A more balanced approach incorporating examples of beneficial applications would mitigate this bias.
Language Bias
The language used is generally neutral, but certain word choices could be perceived as subtly biased. For instance, phrases like 'onder de duim krijgen' (to get under control) and 'de mens is meester over het natuurlijke geworden' (man has become master of nature) present a rather controlling narrative. More neutral alternatives could include phrases emphasizing interaction or management instead of complete control.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses primarily on the artistic representations of technology's impact on nature and agriculture, potentially omitting counterarguments or perspectives that highlight the benefits or ethical considerations of technological advancements in these fields. While the article mentions the potential for control and manipulation, a more balanced perspective incorporating positive aspects of technological integration would enhance the analysis.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplistic dichotomy between the 'maakbaarheid' (malleability) and control of nature through technology. While the exhibition explores this tension, it might benefit from a more nuanced portrayal acknowledging that technological interventions can have both positive and negative consequences, rather than solely focusing on the control aspect.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights how technology is used to control and manipulate nature, exemplified by the control of tomato growth and cow milk production. This represents irresponsible consumption and production practices that prioritize control over sustainability and natural processes. The creation of new plant species with a single button press demonstrates a disregard for natural biodiversity and potentially harmful ecological consequences.