Amazon: Junk space or Equitable space?
It's interesting to comprehend how the needs and the experience of shopping have morphed through time. What started as a necessity for getting goods was transformed into a place of entertainment and perception, and now is transcending into a virtual reality. The aspect of shopping which was so deeply attached to the user and the downtown of the city has detached itself from the society. It is now of no place and defines no physical space. Hence, society, perception, and vision are no longer a context. Only capitalism persists.
This raises a very important question then; Is virtual shopping a more equitable space than what the society offers now?
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This depiction from Elle Magazine, Paris, depicts the "Super Market" as a world within itself, without any connection to its surroundings. Interestingly, the virtual space has taken this idea further.
Very interesting, Juhee. Does this transformation mean that the commercial, once detached from its phisicalyty, has dissolved into nothingness or, on the contrary, does it mean that the commercial is reaching out to every possible aspect of life through digital means.
ReplyDeleteIt definitely reaching out to a lot of different aspects. Even fresh groceries and food are being delivered at doorstep. My fascination however is with the user now feeling more confident to scroll through expensive brands, that they might not do so in a shopping mall. This confidence is emerging because of being disjunct from the society.
DeleteGood point with "virtual shopping" - I feel as though it does level the playing field. As long as you have internet access, we can pretend to "be" anybody. I am able to go to BMW's website and "build" my own car - when in reality I wouldn't be able to afford even the steering wheel. I can go browse Hublot watches online when in reality I would be wildly out of place at a Hublot boutique and I would look like a fool. And I can do all of this from my desk in Lee 3.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree!
DeleteVery interesting. I think that your question also depends on how advanced the current technology is. If the technique of virtual shopping reaches touchable holograms like what they have in Iron Man, will that so-called equitable space be more equitable？
ReplyDeleteWow.. that is another dimension of the topic. Living in and along virtual reality and artificial intelligence will definitely modify architecture and its theories.
DeleteYou could also argue that because of the automation and virtualization of our world, less people can offer to shop for consumer goods- whether it be on Amazon or in a physical location, due to the loss of jobs connected with this automation. I don't think it levels the playing field in this regard- although Amazon is certainly making a lot of money. Many luxury goods refuse to sell online and would never let their goods be sold on Amazon because it would make them appear too accessible- this fact supports your point.
ReplyDeleteI am not completely sure I followed but definitely some brands tend to e exclusive.
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