Towards Refusing as a Critical Technical Practice: Struggling With Hegemonic Computer Vision
Computer Vision (CV) algorithms are overwhelmingly presented as efficient, impartial, and desirable further developments of datafication and automation. In reality, hegemonic CV is a particular way of seeing that operates under the goal of identifying and naming, classifying and quantifying, and ge...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Digital Aesthetics Research Cener
2021-08-01
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| Series: | A Peer-Reviewed Journal About |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://aprja.net//article/view/128185 |
| _version_ | 1797666451868352512 |
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| author | Gabriel Pereira |
| author_facet | Gabriel Pereira |
| author_sort | Gabriel Pereira |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Computer Vision (CV) algorithms are overwhelmingly presented as efficient, impartial, and desirable further developments of datafication and automation. In reality, hegemonic CV is a particular way of seeing that operates under the goal of identifying and naming, classifying and quantifying, and generally organizing the visual world to support surveillance, be it military or commercial. This paradigm of Computer Vision forms a ‘common sense’ that is difficult to break from, and thus requires radical forms of antagonism. The goal of this article is to sketch how refusing CV can be part of a counter-hegemonic practice – be it the refusal to work or other, more creative, responses. The article begins by defining hegemonic CV, the ‘common sense’ that frames machine seeing as neutral and impartial, while ignoring its wide application for surveillance. Then, it discusses the emergent notion of refusal, and why critical technical practice can be a useful framework for questioning hegemonic sociotechnical systems. Finally, several potential paths for refusing hegemonic CV are outlined by engaging with different layers of the systems’ 'stack.'
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| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T19:58:38Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-85fef6889cb34a8fb9745e943b96a1f7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2245-7755 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T19:58:38Z |
| publishDate | 2021-08-01 |
| publisher | Digital Aesthetics Research Cener |
| record_format | Article |
| series | A Peer-Reviewed Journal About |
| spelling | doaj.art-85fef6889cb34a8fb9745e943b96a1f72023-10-04T12:47:39ZengDigital Aesthetics Research CenerA Peer-Reviewed Journal About2245-77552021-08-0110110.7146/aprja.v10i1.128185Towards Refusing as a Critical Technical Practice: Struggling With Hegemonic Computer VisionGabriel Pereira Computer Vision (CV) algorithms are overwhelmingly presented as efficient, impartial, and desirable further developments of datafication and automation. In reality, hegemonic CV is a particular way of seeing that operates under the goal of identifying and naming, classifying and quantifying, and generally organizing the visual world to support surveillance, be it military or commercial. This paradigm of Computer Vision forms a ‘common sense’ that is difficult to break from, and thus requires radical forms of antagonism. The goal of this article is to sketch how refusing CV can be part of a counter-hegemonic practice – be it the refusal to work or other, more creative, responses. The article begins by defining hegemonic CV, the ‘common sense’ that frames machine seeing as neutral and impartial, while ignoring its wide application for surveillance. Then, it discusses the emergent notion of refusal, and why critical technical practice can be a useful framework for questioning hegemonic sociotechnical systems. Finally, several potential paths for refusing hegemonic CV are outlined by engaging with different layers of the systems’ 'stack.' https://aprja.net//article/view/128185algorithmcomputer visioncritical technical practicerefusalcommon sensehegemony |
| spellingShingle | Gabriel Pereira Towards Refusing as a Critical Technical Practice: Struggling With Hegemonic Computer Vision A Peer-Reviewed Journal About algorithm computer vision critical technical practice refusal common sense hegemony |
| title | Towards Refusing as a Critical Technical Practice: Struggling With Hegemonic Computer Vision |
| title_full | Towards Refusing as a Critical Technical Practice: Struggling With Hegemonic Computer Vision |
| title_fullStr | Towards Refusing as a Critical Technical Practice: Struggling With Hegemonic Computer Vision |
| title_full_unstemmed | Towards Refusing as a Critical Technical Practice: Struggling With Hegemonic Computer Vision |
| title_short | Towards Refusing as a Critical Technical Practice: Struggling With Hegemonic Computer Vision |
| title_sort | towards refusing as a critical technical practice struggling with hegemonic computer vision |
| topic | algorithm computer vision critical technical practice refusal common sense hegemony |
| url | https://aprja.net//article/view/128185 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT gabrielpereira towardsrefusingasacriticaltechnicalpracticestrugglingwithhegemoniccomputervision |