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http://static.playdo.io/invisible-labor-2.mp4

Description

This project sheds light on the invisible labor powering much of our digital comforts — from platforms like Mechanical Turk, to outsourced content moderation work. This work is essential for “technological progress”, but is kept behind curtains, and unknown to the average “user”.

A video plays on the headset — recordings from Mechanical Turks, responding to interview questions (paid according to NY minimum wage standards, as opposed to the $0.01 – $0.15 standard on MTurk). But in order to view and hear the video clearly, someone else must get down on the floor and turn the crank. The participants' physical positions amplify the social structures and power dynamics at play.

Classes

Critical Objects