> After watching the way you all go at it I'm a bit hesitant to toss
> this out there. But, here goes... something completely different from
> any of the current threads. Hope no one minds.
>
> I am a senior graphic design student at the California College of Arts
> and Crafts in San Francisco. This summer I have been preparing for my
> thesis (final semester - woooo!). I am hoping for approval on a thesis
> addressing the similarities between biological viruses and ideas. Here
> is pretty much where I am at right now:
>
> Idea as virus (one or more memes make up the code conatained within a
> mind virus) --
> If language is one of the means by which these ideas (memes) are
> spread and graphic design is a visual language then graphic design is
> part of the virus -- I believe that graphic design often makes up the
> sticky protein shell of a "mind virus" and effective design will also
> be a part of the viral code itself.
>
> This analogy is largely based on the following definition of a
> biological virus:
>
> "Viruses are unlike bacteria or germs because they are not living
> things; they are simply protien shells containing genetic material.
> The attacking virus uses its protective sticky protien casing to latch
> onto a healthy cell and then inject its own genetic code, essentially
> genes, inside. The virus code mixes and competes for control with the
> cells own genes, and, if victorious, it permanantly alters the way the
> cell functions and reproduces. A particularly virulent strain will
> transform the host cell into a factory that replicates the virus."
> (Rushkoff, Douglas. Media Virus.)
>
> I want to create a piece that will act as an immunizing agent against
> memes. Education would be the primary objective of such a piece. The
> piece itself should act as a sort of mind virus. One of the main
> questions that I am concerned with right now is -- what medium would
> funtion most effectively for such a project? Some things which I have
> been concidering include -- trading cards, web site, magazine, video.
> I'm leaning toward designing an interactive magazine.
It would be interesting to see if you could develop a vehicle that
would immunize people to the subliminal use of sex in sales pitches.
> In addition to our proposal we must address the following:
>
> Your topic and why you are chosing it.
> How you will begin your exploration.
> How you will measure your progress.
> How you will define you audience.
> How does your thesis relate to graphic design? (Specifically, why is
> your investigation of merit to the profession)
>
> Keep in mind that this is a Graphic Design project and not purely a
> research project.
> Also keep in mind that I've still got a couple of weeks to get
> together my *initial* proposal.
>
> Any input or comments would be *deeply* appreciated!!!
>
>
> Gary D.
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