We make money not art

Peer Pressure

Peer Pressure is a series of devices that as for function to make the user look popular to the eyes of his fellow working colleagues.

Peer Pressure propose 3 devices :

1. « Popular Mobile »

- This cell phone as for only function to beep at regular intervals so it appears you just received a text message.

2. « The Fast typing Key board »

- This keyboard is design to create multiple sounds of key typed so it would appear your typing speed is actually faster than it is. This only woks for the sounds the subterfuge would be easily revealed if some one looked at you typing.

3. “Positive Printer”

- This device it to help create positive rumours about you in the office. It prints out a series of fake positive emails mixed with real emails. Those positive emails consist of : invitation to exclusive parties, requests from the press or producers who fell in love with your new projects, etc. When your colleagues peek at your emails they will surely get the gossip going.

What does it say about the user of such devices ?

1. That they are preoccupied by the opinion of the others surrounding them. Enough to fake a more active social life.
2. Since the devices are not constructed in a way to cover their real purpose (wich is to make one popular) if the user wants to preserve the image of his fake self, he will have to lie a lot about the real function of these devices. It may be a critique saying that you would need to lie over your already false image to keep it intact, seemly plausible.
3. The user will never feel popular by using these devices, he will only appear to be. Maybe these devices will create social opportunities like a raise or invitations to parties, but if it doesn’t the user will only look popular, while feeling unpopular.

Why are most of these devices designed for regular office environment ?

1. I would think that the work place s the location where you go every day of the week and where social interactions are required.
2. It is also the location where it would be the easiest to install such devices and the most profitable.

If it were to be placed on the market, what would be the impact of such devices ?

1. I think it might set the standards of how some one’s popularity must look in public.

Who is not worried about their appearances ?

1. This I cannot answer with certitude
2. Anyhow, only those who feel they fail to be socially active would consider using such devices. I would think.