LUMINESCENT P R O S O PA G N O S I A C S An Anthropological Study
Shuley Begum Nicola Bradley Amelia Dray Rebecca Dray Matthew Edgson Eli Merison Sarah Smith
Luminescent Prosopagnosiacs: An Anthropological Study
CONTENTS I. Preface
5
II. Introduction
6
III. Origins
9
i. Technological Structure
10
ii. Medical Structure
16
IV. Societal Effects
25
V. Behaviours and Adaptations
31
i. The Universal Facial Language
32
ii. Popular culture
36
VI. References
38
3
Luminescent Prosopagnosiacs: An Anthropological Study
PREFACE
October 9th 2083
The luxury of an occasional gust of polluted air that rose from the shadowed depths of the tunnels is a welcome memory in comparison to this metal and concrete tomb of which they now crawl through. The barriers obey to my command as I reluctantly stare into the blinding red light, feeling the strobes tear deeper into my retina. Stunned, I slip through onto the pathway. The social blinkers are up, leaving us all blind to the draw of our own destinations. Funnelling through to the separation of the weak and the strong, of whom when conquering the stairs, the rush defines the sheer scale of desperation. The obstacles continue as the deceptive allure of the platform edge reveals itself to be the entrance to yet another engineered human chain, progressively stripping us of our emotional awareness. When the platform eventually appears, movements start to resemble patterns of blood flow, with the sporadic clot refusing to give way to the infection of ravenous businessmen. I notice pairs of slightly scuffed, luminous trainers identifying a group of enthusiastic tourists infesting this new territory, foreign to their open breathable air. Their heads move violently; seemingly scanning the faces of black suited drones. The rebellious few newcomers will ignore the forbidden act of communication and eye contact, na誰ve to the unspoken rules of our underground world. I tear my gaze from the thoroughly inspected concrete floor to watch the outsiders. My heart sinks at the appearance of their faces, eyes and mouth meticulously stitched closed with the flawless, plastic skin of their cheeks spreading over their features. No definition between mother and daughter, between husband and wife. I notice the soft, falling curls of a woman, yet I am blind to the delicate creases under her eyes, the blood rising in her cheeks or the happiness in the curl of her mouth. My fingers go numb at the memory of what I used to see.
Fig. 1 Diary extract of Joseph Hind, commuter and patient of Dr. Janet McGrath.
5
INTRODUCTION
6
Prosopagnosia (also known as face blindness) refers to the inability to recognise people from their face. This can vary from not recognising faces to, objects, cars and animals. The disorder also affects aspects of face processing mak-
Luminescent Prosopagnosia is a condition that results in the inability to depict any features on the face. Initially it caused confusion for sufferers and doctors, but as the disorder became more prominent sufferers accepted it
ing it difficult to distinguish race, gender and age for example.
and developed ways to cope with their daily lives in society.
Luminescent Prosopagnosiacs: An Anthropological Study
? Fig. 2 What a Luminescent Prosopagnosiac would see
7
8
Luminescent Prosopagnosiacs: An Anthropological Study
Fig. 3 Mapping out the Luminescent prosopagnosiac territories and sub- territories.
Since their emergence, the Luminescent prosopagnosics- being born of the tube network- are native to London. Those who travel into London from outside of the city expand out into their native areas, forming subcultures within areas dominated by non- sufferers. The way that these two groups will interact is an interesting prospect, especially concerning communication.
9
10
ORIGINS
11
TECHNOLOGICAL STRUCTURE
Luminescent Prosopagnosia began to develop around 2020 due to technological advances in the consumer electronics industry, as well as the development in the underground travel system. The many users of tablets, kindles and phones while travelling on the underground, which led to a higher demand in updates for the consumer electronics industry. A fault in the technology affected the fusiform gyrus, which therefore impaired the ability to recognise faces.
12
Luminescent Prosopagnosiacs: An Anthropological Study
Fig. 4 Transition from the screen to the fusiform gyrus
13
TFL A D A P TAT I O N S The immediate implementation of these technologies (such as retina scanners, improved retina advertisement displays e.t.c) onto the underground network resulted in a much improved service in the underground- but was the dawn of the luminescent prosopagnosiac community (and the subsequent growth of said community.)
Fig. 5 (above) A sample advert promoting the rise of the retina scanner technology.
14
Fig. 6 (right) Plans for a three tier platform from TFL, incorporating a format to transport as many passengers as possible.
Luminescent Prosopagnosiacs: An Anthropological Study
15
The format of this new tube system, in attempting to maximise passenger turnover- actually exposed a mass group of commuters to these technologies, resulting in exponential growth of the Luminescent Prosopagnosiac community.
Fig. 8 Technical drawing showing the design of the three tier tube train- to maximise passenger turnover.
16
Luminescent Prosopagnosiacs: An Anthropological Study
Fig. 7 Diagram documenting the protocol to deliver caffienated vapour to the body.
17
MEDICAL STRUCTURE Many people used tablets, kindles and phones while travelling on the underground, which led to a higher demand in updates for the consumer electronics industry. A particular strobing pattern in the device overstimulated the fusiform gyrus, which therefore impaired the ability to recognise faces.
Fig. 9 The location of the fusiform gyrus.
18
The disorder was not recognised for many years, causing a lot more people to be exposed to the problem. The release of the retina scanners in 2070, helped to advance Luminescent Prosopagnosia and it began to spread easily.
Luminescent Prosopagnosiacs: An Anthropological Study
Fig. 10a Extracts from the medical journals of Dr. Janet McGrath M.D- who has researched extensively into this condition- documenting the stages as it progresses.
19
Fig. 10b Recorded notes from the sessions between Dr. McGrath and Joseph Hind. Left: Mr. Hind’s Patient overview Right: Quotes from the medical journals of Dr. McGrath- documenting the deterioration of his facial recognition skills Far Right: Extracts from tests undertaken by Mr. Hind. Notice the severe lack of cognitive facial recognition.
The journals and writings of Dr. Janet Mcgrath proved very useful in tracing the development of Luminescent Prosopagnosia. She writes of her meetings with one of her patients- Joseph Hind. The implications of the environmental factors affecting his lifestyle- in particular the underground network, became evident through the many meetings they had.
20
Extracted from one journal entry depicting the failure of Hind to replicate facial features:“I also asked him to replicate a drawing/ photo of a person and again he replicated without facial features. I have never seen this before.”
Luminescent Prosopagnosiacs: An Anthropological Study
“I also asked him to replicate a drawing/ photo of a person and again he replicated without facial features. I have never seen this before” McGrath, Vol 5, Hind, 2073
“I am beginning to think this could have been brought on by environmental factors. No previous history of eye problems or prosopagnosia in the family. No sudden changes to suggest brain injury/ damage.” McGrath, Vol 5, Hind, 2073
21
Fig. 11 Medical referral letter from Dr. Janet McGrath M.D
22
Luminescent Prosopagnosiacs: An Anthropological Study
Fig. 12Dr. McGrath’s notes on a patient developing Luminescent Prosopagnosia
23
24
S O C I E TA L E F F E C T S
25
PERSONAL IMAGE The rise of Luminescent Prosopagnosia would lead to a drop in profit for many industries. The beauty industry would decline in later years as the disorder developed and became prominent. Cosmetic surgery would still gain customers through due to a rise in liposuction, laser hair removal and buttock, arm or thigh lifts. Breast enlargement/reductions may increase rather than decrease as people would want to enhance body definition. The same effect would happen in hairdressers.
26
Luminescent Prosopagnosiacs: An Anthropological Study
Fig. 13 Examples of Hairstyles adopted by members of the LP communityto increase personal identity without the benefit of a face.
27
Fig. 14 An eyewitness suffering from luminescent prosopagnosia becomes very unreliable- imagine all suspects in a lineup having no face!
EMPLOYMENT DIVIDE Certain work roles, such as security guards, bouncers or prison guards would not be open to people that suffer from Luminescent Prosopagnosia. The disorder would inhibit their ability to fulfil the job role. This led to unrest between many sufferers because they feel there is a certain extent of discrimination against the disorder. However, in the long term the disorder actually helped discrimination. The sufferer cannot judge people by their appearance, ethnicity or their facial expressions.
28
Although the sufferer has a way to communicate through the “Universal facial language�, their disorder has resulted in a reduction of jobs which has increased the number of unemployment by 20%. Retail companies like John Lewis, where job roles at John Lewis involve a lot of communication, has resulted in less employment amongst the percentage of sufferers that exists. This is making it difficult for sufferers to get back into the working world as their disorder has restricted communication for them.
Luminescent Prosopagnosiacs: An Anthropological Study
Fig. 15 A negative politically focused propoganda poster questioning the motives of a “skinface�.
29
30
B E H AV I O U R S & A D A P TAT I O N S
31
THE UNIVERSAL FACIAL LANGUAGE
A lack of facial features (to a L.P) means that communication of emotions through the face becomes impossible. This disorder does not impair speech or hearing, therefore extreme emotions such as laughing or crying can still be heard, which means that the sufferer needs to find another way of communicating. This can be done by over exaggerating expressions and mannerisms using body movement and hand gestures. This disorder has restricted the sufferers from having an emotional connection with the people around them. Universal Facial Sign Language has been established to help sufferers and non-sufferers communicate throughout their daily life to reduce the feeling of isolation. Adapted from the facial expressions for the corresponding emotion, the abstracted expression communicates the intended idea without resembling a face- eliminating the problem presented to the Luminescent prosopagnosiac. It would create unease between the sufferer and non-sufferer if they are unsure of whether to begin using the language but as the disorder becomes more widespread it would become the norm in society.
32
Luminescent Prosopagnosiacs: An Anthropological Study Fig. 16 The transition from the facial expression to the gesture From top to bottom: disgust, fear, surprise.
33
Fig. 17 Illustrations from the Incoll’s pocket dictionary: Universal Facial Language, depicting the hand shaping, positioning and motions. Starting above and moving clockwise: Anger, Sadness, Happiness, Disgust, Fear and Surprise.
34
Luminescent Prosopagnosiacs: An Anthropological Study
35
POPULAR C U LT U R E
Development of communication translates into popular culture and cinema. Many films have been remade to abide by the inclusion act of 2089. The universal facial language aids Luminescent Prosopagnosiacs to understand and relate to emotion in film and television. The language began as a literal concept and developed into a more figurative language as time passed.
Fig. 18 Screenshots from the Good, the Bad and the Ugly [1966] (Adapted for the luminescent Prosopagnosiac community). Dir: Sergio Leone
36
Luminescent Prosopagnosiacs: An Anthropological Study
37
REFERENCES - Untitled Diary, Joseph Hind, 2083, Extract: October 9th. - Ordnance Survey Map: Luminescent Prosopagnosia communities, 2095, Ordnance Survey. - Medical records of Joseph Hind, 2075. - Medical Journals Volumes 3- 9, Dr. Janet McGrath, 2072- 2075. - Incoll’s Pocket Dictionary: Universal Facial Language, 2098, Incoll’s Publishing. - The Good, The Bad and the Ugly [1966] (Adapted for the luminescent Prosopagnosiac community), Dir: Sergio Leone.
38