I’m excited to welcome you to the first edition of my newsletter in which I’ll be sharing my thoughts and feelings about a topic very close to my heart.
Every two weeks, I’ll explore one interesting example of how technology is having an impact on our traditions and rituals. I've been following the topic for a couple of years and I continue to be amazed by all of the brilliant, creative and sometimes utterly bizarre ways that different technologies are getting incorporated into daily life. The newsletter will be free of tech-jargon and give you practical insight into how technology is changing the way we participate in being human.
GRADUATION CEREMONIES
In light of the fact that I just completed an MA and my graduation ceremony was cancelled due to the COVID-19 crisis, I have been giving a lot of thought to what makes graduation ceremonies important in the first place. Why am I so disappointed about not getting to wear a silly cap and gown and wait in line to have a stranger hand me a piece of paper that the school is going to mail to me anyway? Fortunately, I’ve experienced other graduation ceremonies, so I’m really not missing out too much, but what must it feel like for the people who have never had a chance to participate in this ritual before? No cap and gown photos, no inspiring ‘coming of age’ speeches to carry them forward into the future?
Graduation ceremonies are defining moments for people of all ages.
They help little ones moving from Kindergarten to first grade cope with their first experience of leaving their old teachers and classrooms behind.
They mark important transitions into adulthood for high school and college students.
For me, as a mature student, my graduation ceremony not only marked the start of a second career, but also the fact that I had finally overcome my fear of calling myself a ‘writer.’
I really wanted to celebrate my achievements. With a ceremony. In public. Which, as anyone who knows me well can attest, is very unlike me. Go figure this one would be cancelled.
As a way of working through my feelings, I’ve been exploring how other countries and cultures have handled their own graduation ceremonies during this difficult time, and I found a really innovative, tech-infused and slightly scary looking solution, courtesy of one of my favorite tech-forward countries: Japan.
HOW ABOUT A ROBOTIC ‘STAND-IN’?
At the Business Breakthrough University in Tokyo (BBT), avatar robots called, “Newme” streamed the faces of students, who controlled the robots from the comfort and safety of their own homes. The (sur)realism was enhanced by the fact that the robots were dressed in the traditional cap and gown worn by graduates. Nobody would be fooled by these robots - they’re basically a tablet mounted on a stick that’s rolling around on wheels, but at least the students had some semblance of communal experience, and a distinctive way to mark their achievement. It must have been an occasion to remember, however bizarre.
When I say that I’m interested in how technology is changing our rituals and traditions, this is exactly the sort of thing that I’m talking about. Would I have opted to have a robot accept my diploma on my behalf, as I watched on my laptop or phone? For the novelty of it, heck, yeah! Ongoing? Ummm, probably, sometimes, depending on the cost. Actually, yes. There have been plenty of events I wanted to attend, but didn’t for sheer lack of ‘get up and go.’ Maybe I was sick, or just too tired to dress up, fight the traffic and put on a happy face. On some of those days, if I could have attended the lecture, book launch or meet-up from my living room, I think I would have. But not always.
THE IMPORTANCE OF EMBODIMENT
Embodiment is far more than just, ‘having a body’ although that is a big part of it. Most of us behave in certain ways because we care about how we appear to others, but more importantly, the body we have shapes the way we think about and perceive the world around us. I don’t think robotic avatars will completely replace in-person ceremonies when this pandemic is over simply because something special happens when a lot of people gather in one place. The energy increases exponentially into a ‘buzz’ and the buzzier an event is, the more memorable it becomes. It feels good to be near other people. That thing that happens when you really look another person in the eye? It just can’t be replaced by a robot. Ever.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
So, tell me - would you ever attend a graduation ceremony (or any other ceremony) with a robotic avatar? If so, why? If not, what is it about getting together in-person that robotic avatars just can’t replace? I would love to hear your feedback!
Until next time, stay human!