Cultural Identity
Pablo Rios
Coding assistance provided by Santiago Smith
“Research for the Manufactured Ecosystems project has highlighted a major threat to social culture: the commodification of resources, language, and survival means by corporations with autocratic and oligarchic ambitions. In the future, rights to resources, sustenance, and expression may be trademarked and exploited for profit, leaving the general populace to maintain AI systems that ultimately serve corporate interests. Society must adapt to gain control over these AI systems or risk becoming subservient to them.”
“Resistance may come from nature-focused techno-rebels and their development of prompts made of uncontrolled syntax. Through the use of the mycelial network, the ancient natural communication system of fungi, new ways of communication with the walled-off virtual realm may be developed while enhancing existing natural ecosystems.”
Pablo Rios
“By leveraging the burgeoning internet of senses and integrating natural technology with AI systems, society may train these automata to develop greater environmental awareness. This approach could shift power away from dominant groups and create a more egalitarian future.”
Pablo Rios
“No one is more terrified of violent overthrow than those who have wielded violence to maintain the illusion of their superiority.”
Quote by Chinelo Onwualu’s Ndu, coming fall 2025