00 TECHNOADDICTS

“TechnoStress: A modern disease of adaption caused by an inability to cope with the new computer technologies in a healthy manner. It manifest istself in two distinct and related ways; in the struggle to accept computer technology, and in the more specialised form of overidentification with computer technology” - Craig Brod (1984)

“The web is assuming the role of the collective of humanity, in the very specific sense of a storehouse of memories, histories and factual knowledge; soon all of our ‘knowing’ will be in reference to it, rather than to a particular individual, school, or culture” - Mark Pesce (1998)

“As human beings, we’re so tapped into our community, responsiveness to what’s going on, we’re so attuned to the threat of isolation and rejection” - B.J. Fogg (2009)

As our use of technology increases, worries are increasing about the effect that overuse of this technology might have on us.

The lure of constant connectedness and the apparent ease of communication can be hard to resist for many, often at the expense of face-to-face interaction with close friends.

01LIFE SUPPORT01Hours spent seated in poorly designed furniture with incorrect posture can lead to back and neck pain, and in some cases RSI.

Impossible deadlines, over-reliant on the supposed ‘efficiency’ of technology, can lead to long working hours and increased stress levels, while the use of online social networking once we get home continues our obssession with the computer.

Time spent in front of brightly lit monitors can suppress natural melatonin production, leading to a lack of sleep.

To counter this a piece of furniture could be designed that can be adjusted to properly support each user at their computer, and can transform to improve the quality of breaks during the day, by allowing users to sleep in the same chair.

It can also provide hydration and basic nutrition to the user via a feeding system of electrolyte, vitamin and mineral enriched water.

02 HEALTHHEALTH

Increasing use of technological froms of entertainment have been linked, along with many other causes, to an increase in the number of cases of obesity and high blood pressure in many developed countries.

A human powered computer could encourage exercise, and limit time spent in front of the computer, as well as reducing emissions and reliance on fossil fuels.

Dopamine produced during exercise can improve the mood of users, banishing some of “the threat of isolation and rejection”, that leads many to spend so much time in front of their computers.

03 ACCIDENT PREVENTION

75% of Britons admit to texting, blogging or surfing the internet whilst on the toilet.

A recent survey found that 33% have conducted a telephone conversation, 7% admit to searching the internet, and 1% have sent twitter updates from the toilet.

With an increasing number of people reporting feelings of anxiety and loneliness when deprived of their technology for only a short period, phones and computers are taken into more and more unusual surroundings, while the results of an accident are unthinkable for many.

Rubberized non-slip surface prevents any nasty accidents

Adjustable arm can hold phones or laptops

04 SOCIAL INTERACTION

TechnoAddicts suffer from a lack of social interaction that is not assisted by technology, and often from feelings of anxiety and loneliness as soon as the technological connection is severed.

Studies have shown that “the spread of emotions seems to require face to face interaction”, providing lasting satisfaction rather than the instant gratification of online social networking.

By providing a space where ‘addicts’ can relate face to face, without intially sacrificing their connection to the web, they can feel the value of real face to face interaction.

Solar panels provide power without a mains connection

Satellite Internet connection provides free WiFi to users

Internal benches and power points allow users to bring their own computers

Server room grill

Recycled shipping container allows space to move around, allowing access for the great-est possible number of users.

Heating provided by outputs from servers/CPUs

05 INTERVENTION

If all else fails a computer virus could be designed to record time spent on certain time-wasting websites.

It could then restrict access to people who have an unhealthy relationship with those websites, slowly cutting down the amount of time allowed on each website, until a healthy relationship with online social networking is resumed.