Pedestrians Rule the Road
Adversarial fashion for the age of autonomous vehicles
NOTICE TO PAID SUBSCRIBERS
As summer looms, I’m going to park the janky time machine in the shade for a while. With the price of gas being high in every timeline I travel to, it’s become difficult to get out every single day. I still plan on taking the occasional time travel journey here and there, but I need to slow things down so I can tend to some life and work obligations.I’ve paused all paid subscriptions indefinitely. I thank all of you for your support over the past couple years. I’ll see you around, just not as often … until I figure out the next phase of upgrades for Design Fiction Daily.
Picture this: a world where autonomous vehicles dominate the streets, zipping around like they own the place. But, as always, humans find a way to throw a wrench into the system. Enter "adversarial fashion."
People in this timeline have gotten creative with their wardrobes to assert their dominance over the roads. The streets are filled with pedestrians and cyclists wearing clothes adorned with symbols that autonomous vehicles interpret as commands. It’s a clever little hack to make sure these driverless cars stop, slow down, or reroute around them. It’s like an urban guerrilla tactic, but with style.
Imagine jackets with giant STOP signs on the back, or helmets sporting pedestrian crosswalk symbols. It's not just about fashion; it's a statement. It says, "Hey, I’m still here, and I’m in charge." This trend underscores a fascinating tension between human autonomy and machine efficiency.
On one hand, it's a brilliant solution for asserting pedestrian rights in a world designed for machines. On the other hand, it raises questions about the boundaries of AI and human interaction. How long before the AI catches on and adapts? Or will this be an ongoing game of cat and mouse, with humans always finding new ways to outsmart their silicon counterparts?
What’s really striking is how this trend highlights our adaptability. When faced with the impersonal precision of autonomous systems, we leverage creativity and defiance to carve out our space. It’s a testament to the unyielding human spirit in the face of technological change.
Anyway, keep your eyes peeled for these adversarial fashion statements in your wardrobe of the future. Until next time, happy time traveling!
😂