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Print is dead, and with death, comes something new. Something reborn. The birth of technology, and the newfound life of The Digital Issue.
I would like to thank all of the writers, editors, designers, photographers, illustrators, stylists, makeup artists, models, and readers for making this publication possible. For without each and every member of Blush, this issue would cease to exist. I couldn’t have done it without any of you. Proud is an understatement. I can’t wait to see where Blush goes in the future, as we continue to explore the world we’re living in.
S C A N TO WATC H T H E F U L L L E T T E R
/C O N T E N T S
U S E R: T H E T E C H I S S U E S P R I N G 2 0 1 8
FA S H I O N
10 Disability-Friendly Fashion 11 Changes in the Catwalk 12 Mirror, Mirror on the Wall 14 Tech+Styles 16 Who Made This (and How)? 18 Where Fashion Meets Function
BEAUTY 24 What’s Your Color IQ? 25 Inclusive Beauty: Empowered by
W H E R E FA S H I O N M E E T S F U N C T I O N
8 CMD + (3D) P
Technology 26 Beauty Tools That Measure Your Health 28 Best Apps for Beauty Lovers 29 Interactive Tattoos 30 Makeup Artist in Your Pocket
32 Faces of the Future: Humanoid Makeup
C U LT U R E 38 Digital Thinking: C.J. Yeh 42 The SIMS Reality 44 The End of an Era, and the Rise of Another 45 When Home Becomes a Robot 46 Robots Are Coming for Your Job 47 Banking the Unbanked 48 Digital Artistry 52 Technology. Period. 53 Mobile Devices Are... the Future? 54 Drones in Application 55 Roadbots 56 The Age of Algorithm 60 How Streaming Overtook the TV Biz
H O W S T R E A M I N G O V E RT O O K T H E T V B I Z
31 Bougie on a Budget
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/I N T H I S I S S U E FA C E S O F T H E F U T U R E
Throughout this season’s issue, you will come across a number of QR codes. Scan these using Snapchat or any other QR-code reader to get additional article content, behind-the-scenes, and more!
32 SCAN TO VISIT BLUSHMAGFIT.COM
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Alyssa Alhadeff Scott Beigel Martin Duque Nicholas Dworet Aaron Feis Jamie Guttenberg Chris Hixon Luke Hoyer Cara Loughran Gina Montalto Joaquin Oliver Alaina Petty As students, we are all affected by the events that transpired at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. I have been asking myself why and how these past two months—but I found that time does not always always heal, nor does it always provide answers.
Meadow Pollack Helena Ramsay Alex Schachter Carmen Schentrup
Life is as beautiful as it is fragile. Please don’t forget to slow down and enjoy the time you spend here at FIT. Hug your friends and loved ones, and remember that when a storm gathers, eagles soar above. Elizabeth Hartley Marjory Stoneman Douglas class of 2015 FIT Graphic Design BFA
Peter Wang
EDITOR IN CHIEF
PUBLIC RELATIONS TEAM
CONTRIBUTORS
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Danielle Smith
Valeria Bailon
Holly Bjalme-Evans
Chloe Chandler
Claudia Barnard
Christa Camp
Elizabeth Donohue
Vladislava Bulatnikova
Juliana Campisi
Michael Druce
Samantha Bruno-Tello
Chloe Chandler
Tarishi Gupta
Chloe Chandler
Gloria Chen
Nicole Territo
Caroline Duffy
Danielle Duvidzon
Mae Duhnke
Maura Felter
BLUSHMAGFIT.COM
Sasha Klokova
Daniela Garza
ART ASSISTANT
WEB DIRECTOR
Kirsten Lutley
Elizabeth Hajny
Brinley Knopf
Christopher Coughlin
Elizabeth Scheuerman
Monet Kifner
Brittany Segal
Eric Maggins
WEB CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Hanna Williams
Kayla Nicholson
Jewelle Trotman
ART DIRECTOR Lena Kourgouzov
ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR Elizabeth Hartley
PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR Richard DiFrisco
SENIOR EDITORS
EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Olivia Bartfield
Emily Altieri
Natalie Carozza
Melody Keifer
Ryann Casey
TREASURER Tyana Teat-Vickers
Kiana Clevinger Elizabeth Donohue
Nicole Plonski Domenica Romo Kabria Smith Rachel Teperman Jazmin Thomas Nayaab Yousaf Abbey Zucker
Nermeen Ileiwat
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PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTOR
Dayna Lawrence
Julian Acevedo
Fiona Liao
Valeria Bailon
Rebeka Bonilla
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Christina Portuallo
Sydnie Jaime
Paulami Sane
Alya Kanehailua
Isabel Shepard
Yulia Kovtun
Caroline Wilcox
Sabrina Lee
WEB EDITORS Jonathan Lee Nicole Plonski Claudia Tufanio Landuo Yuan
ADVISOR Laura Hatmaker
SPECIAL THANKS Smiljana Peros
Reid Parsekian Marissa Rozenfeld
Blush is produced by the students of FIT, part of the State University of New York, with funds provided by the FIT Student Government Association. FIT is committed to prohibiting discrimination in its programs, activities, and employment, whether based on race, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, religion, ethnic background, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military service status, genetic information, pregnancy, familial status, citizenship status (except as required to comply with law), or any other criterion prohibited by law. Inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy may be directed to the Affirmative Action Officer/Title IX Coordinator, (212) 217-3360, titleix@fitnyc.edu.
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CMD +(3D)P
Years ago, the idea of creating a design and having it come to life through a computer program seemed like pure fiction. Imagine, instead of going to the store to purchase your next outfit or waiting for it to ship via postal mail, you could simply print out the latest fashions at the click of a button. Well, with today’s technology, those fantasies are quickly becoming a reality. In a world so advanced that people are discussing futuristic magnet trains and hovercrafts, the idea of 3D printing in fashion could soon be a widespread phenomenon.
FASHION
Over 200 years ago when the sewing machine
CULTURE
appropriate technology is stereolithography (SLA) for it
was invented, people viewed the technology as
creates the most controlled surfaces. The process works
groundbreaking. Rather than sitting for hours with a
by depositing a polymer liquid into a tray, and letting it
needle and thread, garments could instead be assembled
solidify before adding more layers, under the effect of
within minutes. Fast-forward to 2018, and here we are
a light radiated by an ultraviolet laser that sweeps the
with a next-generation sewing machine: a 3D printer. The
surface. The process is repeated until the desired object
idea of using a 3D printer to create clothing has grown
is created. While this technology is revolutionary, it still
incredibly over the past few years.
currently works best with stiffer materials rather than
The idea of technology being integrated into fashion by Emily Altieri and Melody Keifer
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has gained tremendous popularity as we enter a new era of robots and droids. Many designers have been integrating 3D printing technologies into their designs
softer, and geometric shapes over organic ones. For those reasons, 3D printing is usually used in the making of eyewear, jewelry, and watchmaking. Yet this has not stopped designers from attempting
and exhibitions. In 2016, the Met Costume Institute
and succeeding in using 3D printing to create garments.
held it’s exhibition, Manus x Machina, which celebrated
Designers such as threeASFOUR, Yuima Nakazato, and
the integration of technology into fashion. Many of the
Iris van Herpen, who had pieces in the Manus x Machina
garments in this show were in fact created with a 3D
show, have created fantastical gowns, shoes, and
printer. Since then, 3D printing has only gained a more
more using 3D printing. In recent years threeASFOUR
dominant presence in the fashion industry. Although
has even created a 3D-printed dress flexible enough
3D printing cannot ultimately replace woven or knitted
that the wearer can sit down and stretch without the
fabrics, the technology has the ability to create intricate
material shattering. This dress, called Pangolin, is
and customizable fashions.
made out of a rubber mesh that moves much like a
One specific designer who has been making great use of the technology is Danit Peleg. The designer known for her printed garments has a vision to bring on-demand fashion to the masses. Just recently, the Tel Aviv-based designer released the first of printed garments consumers can actually purchase. The
memory foam mattress. While this newfound flexibility is practically revolutionary, the clothing is still considered uncomfortable and a little too heavy for everyday wear. There is also the issue of time: It took 10 printers working simultaneously for around 500 hours to create Pangolin. All in all, it is hard to believe the once impossible
3D-printed customizable bomber jacket is currently
technologies we only dreamed of are now becoming a
available for purchase at a hefty price of $1,500 and
reality. Computer generated designs have the ability to
requires a virtual fitting session to create a garment built
now be printed out in a three-dimensional form within
just for its wearer. As of now, the designer creates the
seconds. Although the technology is still new and has a
garments and ships them to her customers. However,
long way to go, a shift is coming in the fashion industry
one day she wishes to reach a point where her designs
for sure. Soon, our shopping carts will be filled with
can simply be emailed to the customer and printed out in
virtual designs we could purchase and simply print out at
the convenience of their own home.
our own convenience. Talk about a Zenon: Girl of the 21st
There are currently three main technologies being
Century moment!
used for 3D printing. In the fashion industry the most
C M D + (3 D)P by A LT I E R I / K E I F E R
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DISABILITY-FRIENDLY FASHION
a wheelchair, and do not have the ability
solutions for people with disabilities. The
to reach into their pant pockets or hold an
OSL offers a 10-week style program where
umbrella when it is raining. Others, say, on
designers create innovative garments for
the autism spectrum, may have sensory
disabled clients in regard to their specific
sensitivity and are bothered by the texture
needs. The designs are presented to a
of certain fabrics. In fact, 15 percent of the
panel of judges and the winner receives
world’s population is living with a disability.
funding for the production of their design.
More and more, innovative designers, engineers, and stylists are creating new technology based upon the unique needs of the disabled community. Disabled people have not always been valued as fashion customers, but it would make good business sense to pay attention to this underserved market. According to disability fashion stylist Stephanie Thomas, the disabled community has over $1 trillion of disposable
Grace Jun, OSL’s executive director, believes that the garment’s universal application is an imperative aspect to the garment that makes it marketable to not only the disabled community, but others as well. It is hard to target the disability market while being inclusive of others, but that is the next level of inventive designs that not only the disabled community, but the fashion industry strives to see.
income. However, in retail stores, while there are often wheelchair accessible dressing rooms, there aren’t any clothing available for someone with a seated body type. There have been inspiring individuals taking notice of this issue and making a change. Cur8able is an organization that focuses on fashion for the disabled. Thomas, Cur8able’s founder, is a congenital amputee missing digits on her right hand and feet. She has created the Disability Fashion Styling System, a tool where dressers for the disabled can make their clients feel and look great. The system makes sure that the clothes are accessible, easy to put on and take off, medically safe, fit well, and are fashionable. Thomas has been a leader in bringing awareness to the
BY CHRISTINA PORTUALLO We often take our ability to be mobile for granted. For the most part, those of us with free range of movement are able to run, jump, and even pull up our pants without struggle when we stand. However, for the disabled, it is not as easy as just running, jumping, and adjusting their clothes. Many people spend much of their day in
need of designing and styling functional yet fashionable clothing for the disabled. She coins her system as “the bridge between where the fashion industry is and where it’s going.” She is here to make a difference for the disabled in the fashion industry and influence others to do so as well. The Open Style Lab is a nonprofit organization where designers, engineers, and occupational therapists create wearable
D I S A B I L I T Y-F R I E N D LY FA S H I O N by C H R I S T I N A P O RT U A L LO
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By Natalie Carozza New York Fashion Week is an event dominated by fashion bloggers, celebrities, photographers, and fashion lovers from all around the globe. Fashionistas run from show to show in order to get a glimpse of the newest collections, while trying to get a sneak peek of street style from the hottest influencers in the game. However, before Instagram, Snapchat, and other social media platforms came to the scene, Fashion Week was much more exclusive. The general public did not get to see the collection through online posts. The seats were filled with buyers, editors, and celebrities. Likewise, the public didn’t see the new collections until the time of the actual season. Now, not only can consumers see the collections the day of the show, but they can actually purchase them fresh off the runway. Brands like Rebecca Minkoff, Mulberry, Burberry and Tommy Hilfiger are using a business model called see-now, buy-now. This means that after the show, the pieces that consumers see posted all over social media can actually be ordered right off the runway. No more waiting the six or so months to get your hands on the newest runway trends. Since technology has welcomed the public into fashion week, designers are now experimenting with virtual reality so people can watch fashion shows in the comfort of their own homes. Shows are livestreamed and people can feel like they are actually at the show. Technology has also changed the showgoers experience. It’s now much more than a simple runway and a model. Designers want to create a story when displaying their line and want to evoke an emotion with it. For example, Ralph Lauren created an incredible theatrical show for his spring/summer 2015 collection with 4D holography. It featured models “walking on water” and utilized holographics of New York City’s prime locations. Technology has definitely impacted the fashion industry and has caused it to make some major changes. The growth of the influencer or blogger has really disrupted the old ways of fashion. People used to get their fashion tips and advice from print magazines such as Vogue, Glamour, or Allure. A brand’s main public relations focus was to get a magazine or celebrity to use their product so consumers would purchase it. Now, however, PR is much more focused on the influencers. Bloggers with hundreds of thousands or even millions of followers on Instagram can easily and instantly reach multiple people with a simple post on their social platform. This technology change is also shifting the publishing side of the fashion industry to go more digital as well. With online media dominating the fashion world, people seem much more likely to read a post on their phone or computer than to pick up a printed magazine. Social media allows for consumers to directly pick who they want to follow and cater to their own personal aesthetic, rather than a non-customizable magazine. However, many still believe print will remain prevalent in this ever-changing world. Bronwyn Cosgrave, once a features editor at British Vogue, gave her opinions on why print can still survive and is needed still in the industry. She said, “Magazines aren’t going to disappear. … People still like to have something tangible to browse. They need to diversify and become omni-platform businesses.” Overall, technology has made some truly incredible changes in the fashion industry. Brands are now able to connect with their consumers on a much more deeper level and fashion is much easier to connect with than it ever was. Fashion is changing and developing with the times while using new technology to create more experiences for the consumer. The industry’s competitive nature makes it even harder for print to survive, but if a company can establish its niche, they are able to make an everlasting impact.
C H A N G E S I N T H E C AT WA L K by N ATA L I E C A R O Z Z A
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eivom ,gnippihs yad-owt s’nozamA fo ega eht ni evil slainnelliM fo trofmoc eht evael yhw—sppa yreviled doof dna ,secivres gnimaerts ygolonhcet ni secnavdA .t’nod eW :trela reliopS ?pohs ot semoh ruo sreliater ratrom-dna-kcirb fo leeh ’sellihcA eht deredisnoc erew rieht otni noititepmoc fo stnenopmoc gnitargetni nageb serots litnu eht enibmoc ot denrael evah sreliater ynaM .sessenisub lanoitidart erots a ekam dna stfiorp ezimixam ot gnippohs erots-ni dna enilno fo skrep sevlesmeht yned dluow ohw ,lla retfA .ecneirepxe elbaromem a tisiv ?sseleulC ni tesolc s’rehC fo noisrev nredom a esu ot ecnahc eht fo tnorferof eht ta si ffokniM accebeR reliater yruxul elbadroffA -fles dna srorrim trams fo noitidda eht htiw tnemevom latigid siht otni pets uoY :siht erutciP .tnorferots ohoS reh ni snoitats tuokcehc dna golatac eht hguorht llorcs uoY .llaw hcet egral a dnfi ot erots eht gnittfi ruoy ot dediug era uoy ,ereh morF .smeti etirovaf ruoy esoohc .uoy rof yllacfiiceps nesohc smeti htiw dellfi neeb sah hcihw ,moor eviecer dna wonk rorrim ruoy tel ,ton fI ?tfi no deirt uoy sserd eht seoD ezis rehtona htiw yaw rieht no si tsilyts ruoy nehw egassem txet a smeti ruoy ecalp ylpmis uoy ,tuo kcehc ot emit si ti ecnO .elyts ro elbat ehT .elbat derewop–noitacfiitnedi ycneuqerf oidar a na no lacisyhp rehto dna snoisnemid no desab tcudorp eht ezingocer lliw oN .elas lanfi eht rof daPi na ot noitamrofni eht dnes neht ,srotcaf .deriuqer sedocrab eb ot nevorp evah ffokniM accebeR ta seno eht ekil snoitavonnI enilno tuoba evol sremusnoc gnihtyreve fo noitatsefinam latigid a ruoy ot tnes si tsilyts erots-ni na ,nottub a fo hcuot eht htiW .gnippohs a sa pu dellup si yrotsih esahcrup dna ,dedaolnwod era sppa ,moor deyartrop netfo si ygolonhcet sihT .sesahcrup laitnetop rof ecnerefer tub ,tcatnoc namuh gnihsinimid rof noitatuper sti ot eud ylevitagen woh ro hcum woh slortnoc reppohs a ,metsys rorrim trams eht htiw .tisiv rieht gnirud ecneirepxe yeht tcatnoc namuh elttil sedirts edam osla evah ekiN sa hcus sesuohrewop labolG nozamA htiw etepmoc ot troffe na ni serots diufl yllatigid drawot yraunaJ ni denepo taht erots pihsgafl tneicffie yllanoitpecxe na ,oG a ohoS ni erots pihsgafl sti gnillac neeb sah ekiN .elttaeS ni 8102 esu ekam ot elba sreppohs era ylno toN ”.ecneirepxe trops lanosrep“ ,seohs gnicnahne-ecnamrofrep ezilanosrep taht smetsys retupmoc fo dna snohtaram rof gniniart srennur rof srotalumis osla era ereht setaitnereffid tahW .setelhta lla etadommocca ot dnik yreve fo struoc sesu ekiN elihw taht si ffokniM accebeR sa hcus serots morf ekiN sremotsuc pleh ot ygolonhcet sesu osla ti ,selas hsup ot ygolonhcet .tsoc artxe on ta laitnetop tselluf rieht ot niart fo tuo tsom eht gnitteg era sremusnoc ,reve naht erom woN a ro nosrep a morf eb ti rehtehW .secneirepxe gnilles lanosrep rieht ot yaw a dnuof evah sreliater ,deen yreve rieht ot gniretac enihcam .yletelpmoc tcatnoc namuh gnitanimile tuohtiw ygolonhcet etargetni
MIRROR ON WALL ME SIZE WILL
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Millennials live in the age of Amazon’s two-day shipping, movie streaming services, and food delivery apps—why leave the comfort of
RORRIM EHT TEG A NET, AY?
our homes to shop? Spoiler alert: We don’t. Advances in technology were considered the Achilles’ heel of brick-and-mortar retailers until stores began integrating components of competition into their traditional businesses. Many retailers have learned to combine the perks of online and in-store shopping to maximize profits and make a store visit a memorable experience. After all, who would deny themselves the chance to use a modern version of Cher’s closet in Clueless? Affordable luxury retailer Rebecca Minkoff is at the forefront of this digital movement with the addition of smart mirrors and selfcheckout stations in her Soho storefront. Picture this: You step into the store to find a large tech wall. You scroll through the catalog and choose your favorite items. From here, you are guided to your fitting room, which has been filled with items chosen specifically for you. Does the dress you tried on fit? If not, let your mirror know and receive a text message when your stylist is on their way with another size or style. Once it is time to check out, you simply place your items on an a radio frequency identification–powered table. The table will recognize the product based on dimensions and other physical factors, then send the information to an iPad for the final sale. No barcodes required. Innovations like the ones at Rebecca Minkoff have proven to be a digital manifestation of everything consumers love about online shopping. With the touch of a button, an in-store stylist is sent to your room, apps are downloaded, and purchase history is pulled up as a reference for potential purchases. This technology is often portrayed negatively due to its reputation for diminishing human contact, but with the smart mirror system, a shopper controls how much or how little human contact they experience during their visit. Global powerhouses such as Nike have also made strides toward digitally fluid stores in an effort to compete with Amazon Go, an exceptionally efficient flagship store that opened in January 2018 in Seattle. Nike has been calling its flagship store in Soho a “personal sport experience.” Not only are shoppers able to make use of computer systems that personalize performance-enhancing shoes, there are also simulators for runners training for marathons and courts of every kind to accommodate all athletes. What differentiates Nike from stores such as Rebecca Minkoff is that while Nike uses technology to push sales, it also uses technology to help customers train to their fullest potential at no extra cost. Now more than ever, consumers are getting the most out of their personal selling experiences. Whether it be from a person or a machine catering to their every need, retailers have found a way to integrate technology without eliminating human contact completely.
M I R R O R, M I R R O R O N T H E WA L L by D AY N A L AW R E N C E
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T E C H
by Elizabeth Scheuerman
The integration of tech textiles, or technologically integrated
yarns themselves are also thinner than many natural fibers,
fabrics, into the lives of the average consumer may seem far
such as cotton. With a combination of these two features, the
off in the future. However, the use of tech textiles is happening
fabric has less space between each yarn, allowing for less air
today. From extra-warm turtlenecks and tees, all the way to NASA
to escape and therefore retaining heat. What is truly incredible
spacecrafts, technology is already woven into the lives of many.
about this technology is its price and availability. Each Heattech
Uniqlo, a Japan-based company, has produced fashion items featuring tech fabrics for the masses. Their line, Heattech, features a specially produced fabric that is manufactured to keep the wearer warm in cold climates. Featuring a combination of polyester, acrylic, rayon, and spandex, each item has moisture-
garment costs under $20 and is available in many colors at most of Uniqlo’s stores during the fall and winter seasons. Uniqlo has been able to show consumers what the future of tech textiles can be: inexpensive and widely available. The Olympics this year served as an incredible opportunity
wicking, odor-controlling, and non-deforming properties.
to see new developments in technology in textiles and how they
However, the most notable qualities are the heat absorption
work. In the most recent Olympics, the United States’ Opening
and retention abilities.
Ceremonies uniform, designed by Ralph Lauren, featured two
The fabric used to make these garments generates heat when it absorbs moisture. By using the human skin’s natural moisture, the fabric generates warmth for the wearer. The fabric also skillfully retains heat, as it is knitted very tightly. The individual
jackets that could also conduct heat for the wearer in the cold weather in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Electronically printed, waterproof, stretchy, carbon inks printed on the back of the coat can conduct electricity. They connect to a battery pack on the inside of the coat, with several heat settings. While being
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technologically advanced, these uniforms were very stylish and
create a high-performance polymer fiber, stronger than Kevlar
reputedly comfortable for the athletes who wore them.
and less conductive than copper, called AmberStrand. It is small
Also, at the recent Winter Olympics, Under Armour designed the United States’ speed skating suits. The suits were made from polyurethane, which remains flat against the skin, and a jacquard woven H1 nylon spandex mix. The ultra-fine texture
and flexible enough to be incorporated into traditional textiles. Although not yet available to the market, NASA hopes that their partnership with Syscom will allow more of these types of fibers to be widely available in the near future.
created pockets on the surface of the suit, which not only made it
The tech textiles industry is still growing, and definitely has
more breathable for the athlete but extremely aerodynamic. Chris
a far way to go. In 2016, Warwick Mills teamed up with the U.S.
Yu, director of integrated technologies at Specialized, explained
Defense Department, MIT, and many other universities to invest
that these dimples eliminated wind resistance and reduced the
$320 million into researching integrating new technologies in
vacuum that can be left behind by disturbing airflow. These strips
textiles, such as sensors that can communicate with each other,
of H1 were placed strategically around the arms and legs where
change color, monitor health, warm and cool the person, or
wind resistance was most likely to occur.
make the wearer invisible to those wearing night vision goggles.
However, tech textiles are not just reserved for clothing. NASA has been experimenting with conductive fibers as an alternative to copper wiring in their space crafts. These fibers are better in small spaces, and since they are flexible, are less prone to breakage. NASA collaborated with the company Syscom to
Although these technologies are still being experimented with, utilizing these textiles is not a far-off concept. As more companies continue to invest in and experiment with textile technology, they will become cheaper, better, and eventually more available to everyday consumers. Though futuristic, tech textiles are very present.
T E C H-S T Y L E S by E L I Z A B E T H S C H E U E R M A N
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Who Made This (And How?)
H T T P S : // W W W. P R O V E N A N C E . O R G /
This garment has been tracked using blockchain technology.
Scan the QR code or NFC tag to see this item’s journey from raw material to finishing garment. Unable to scan? Enter the above ID at provenance.org
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B Y PA U L A M I S A N E S TA RT R E A D I N G H E R E
During a textile science class, as my professor went on about
Long-sleeve Jersey Top
mysterious “made in” labels and the production of fiber and its environmental effect, the girl next to me scrolled through another
H&M $13
e-commerce site. I realized the paradox of the situation as we dug
Pact 25$
deeper into unethical means of production used by these fast-fashion brands and the complete ignorance about their means of production as a consumer. By means of blockchain technology we can trace back the entire process of production of these clothes and in the On right: hm.com / naja.co / everlane.com
process modify our shopping habits.
Bustier
What surprised me is how, as a fashion student, I had never
Victoria’s Secret $57
heard about blockchain. It is essentially a record made by using
Naja 25$
cryptography, much like bitcoin, which traces every step of the process of manufacturing from the origin of the mohair goat right till the finished woolen coat. The garments have a unique code that tells the digital history of their location, content, and timestamp of their production. This traceability logs information as it goes downstream along
Belted Shirt Dress
the supply chain. Every factor in the chain, from the cotton production
Zara $70
unit to the merchandiser, is held responsible for their claims. These
Everlane 25$
records become publicly available and cannot be counterfeited. This traceability gives way to transparency that goes beyond the “made in” labels. For a T-shirt that only labels the country of origin and fabric content, we have almost no knowledge of its production method, the amount of waste generated during the process and where every step of the process takes place. London-based designer Martine Jarlgaard teamed up with blockchain technology company Provenance to register every process of the raw material till the final garment. The need for transparency arises from the vast number of parties involved in the process of manufacturing, as well as the increasing amount of consumption that ends up in landfills. As consumers, we need to be aware of where our products come from and what they’re made of. We need to understand how it is feasible for brands like H&M and Zara to support their prices. Cheap fabrics, mass production in third-world countries, and unethical labor practices cut down the prices. Which begs the question, who is paying the real price of fashion? Global movements like Fashion Revolution
Week, falls on the anniversary of the Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh. It draws focus on the need for ethical and sustainable practices in fashion. Employees in these third-world countries work extra hours without overtime and are not permitted to go for toilet breaks or drink water. Although legally they make minimum wage, it is not even half of what is required to support their families. With 52 micro-seasons, there are new trends every week. It is an industry based on bottomless consumption, with the threat of being out of fashion by the end of their week as their unique selling proposition. The prices offered by fast fashion are tempting, especially as a broke college student in a boring textile science class. With all our materialistic needs being met with the wide variety of options available in e-commerce it can be hard to change the way you shop. With more ethical and sustainable brands offering competitive prices it is worth giving it a chance.
demand that we as consumers should know exactly who makes our clothes and how they are made. Their campaign, Fashion Revolution
W H O M A D E T H I S (A N D H O W )? by PA U L A M I S A N E
WHERE FASHION MEETS FUNCTION In recent years, wearable technologies have
track your steps. Look out Apple, we’ve got
become largely associated with athleticism.
some new smartwatches in town!
Dating back to the first-generation iPod being worn on an armband to a sudden outbreak of Fitbits and Apple watches, everyone at the gym seems to have tech on their wrist—and mind. The convenience of these multitasking inventions resonates with millennials who are always on the go. After all, who doesn’t love a good two-for-one deal? Apple’s smartwatches are miniature
Don’t have that kind of dough? We’ve got your covered! Fitbit has some great options that retail below those fancy price points. The Fitbit Alta’s screen may be smaller in appearance, but don’t let that fool you. At $100, it performs above average, technologically, to help you perform above average, athletically. The Alta will track your sleep, gently wake you up, sync to
models of the iPhone, allowing its user to
your phone and computer, and track your
achieve the same functionality, sans the
movements while reminding you to keep
extra weight of the larger device. Don’t sweat
moving. Its slim design only makes the
it! Now you can push through a long workout
device that much more wearable.
without missing a message from your BFF. Leave your worries of accidentally dropping your phone behind. Feel free to get your groove on in Zumba class, because your watch will stay secure in its band. Phew! Fitbits are also a no-brainer for the gym
There’s nothing better than sticking to the originals, like the Fitbit Zip at $60. The wireless activity tracker can be clipped on just about anywhere, making your no-pocket worries a thing of the past. It’s battery life is also unbeatable, at six months of
geek. The smartwatch predecessor and rival
constant wear, there’s no need to worry
product was intended for the gym from the
about recharging. You can check out your
get-go. Its recent adaptations have become
daily stats by simply tapping the screen,
more similar to that of Apple’s, due to the
as well as receive live alerts from
square-shaped, touchscreen functionality
your smartphone and computer,
of the Fitbit Ionic and Fitbit Versa models.
similar to the Alta.
However, the new Fitbit Blaze is what really has our attention. Retailing from $200 to $230, these babies can do more than just
By Isabel Shepard Photography by Richard DiFrisco Makeup by Danielle Duvidzon Stylist Nicole Plonski Modeled by Jade Kedrick, Leo G
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Fashion Editorial p3
Clothes NO KA ‘OI Accessories Apple Watch, Fitbit Shoes Under Armour HOVR running shoes
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However, an interesting change in direction has taken foot. Under Armour’s latest device has high hopes of replacing the soon-to-be dated wrist accessory. HOVR, the brand’s new line of smart shoes, will track its wearer’s movement by simply downloading and syncing an app to your phone. How’s that for skipping a step? The Sonic and Phantom, two of a kind, retail for $100 to $140. Imagine a GPS for your feet, comfort that feels like you’re walking on air, and a design that’ll make everyone at the gym drop and give you 20. Although athletic apparel is most commonly used by those who work out, it has become apparent that the trend isn’t just for the typical “gym rat” anymore. Due to its überfunctionality, more brands are beginning to release their own lines of athletic apparel. In fact, chic athleisurewear has prematurely become one of the hottest trends of 2018. We have to wonder, could this new aesthetic have to do with the likes of “Tommy x Gigi” for Tommy Hilfiger? Taking successful strides down the runway for the past four seasons, the major collaboration has become a hot topic, dominating the streets with lookalike outfits that were likely inspired by the designer/model duo.
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Perhaps the “Gigi effect” is partial to the sky-high sales in wearable technologies, which complements the trend so well. In fact, wearables, including everything from earphones to smart shoes, are predicted to boom in worldwide shipment. As digital marketing strategy publisher Smart Insights observed, 126.1 million units of shipment are expected in 2019. This is a major jump from the 45.7 million units shipped in 2015. At this point, it’s safe to say that were closer to robots taking over the world than ever before. At
BEHIND THE SCENES
least we’ll look good while we’re at it!
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Any beauty enthusiast will tell you that one
In theory, this is an incredible and
The Sephora x Pantone Color IQ is
of the best parts of shopping for makeup
revolutionary service, but in practice,
definitely an interesting look at how beauty
is the colors. Cosmetics companies spend
customers and employees alike have mixed
and technology can go hand in hand to
months picking shades for highly anticipated
reviews. Common complaints amongst
make customer experiences easier and
palettes, and every Sephora and Ulta is filled
users are that results are often darker due
more seamless across all platforms. For
with excited people running around with
to detection of freckles or birthmarks. The
someone who struggles with makeup, it may
countless swatches on the backs of their
colors chosen are inconsistent between
be a lifesaver, but for the more advanced
hands. The only time when color doesn’t
devices, and that the color that is their
beauty connoisseur, manual shade-matching
bring quite as much excitement is when
“true match” is not the color they wish to
may still be the way to go. Despite these
it comes time to shop for foundation. Not
use. For example, a customer with rosacea
shortcomings, this integration of beauty and
a single person on this planet looks the
or similar reddish discoloration may be
technology is an exciting look into what the
exact same, so how are people expected
calculated to have a very pink-toned, warm
future holds for makeup.
to match their incredibly unique skin tone
skin tone, when in fact they would rather
to one of 20 or so flesh-colored fluids? The
their foundation mask discoloration instead
simple answer would be to just try on the
of mimic it. Many Sephora employees are
foundation before leaving the store, right?
aware of the issues with the devices, and
But this is easier said than done, considering
will test the foundation on the customer’s
most drugstores do not have samples, and
jawline and adjust accordingly.
in higher-end stores that do allow you to try
This is what happened to me about
makeup on, lighting is often unhelpful. With all of these factors, how is anyone supposed to find a shade that matches them? Sephora sought to solve this very
a year ago, when I went into Sephora looking to get shade matched for the Too Faced Born This Way foundation. The Sephora
problem in 2012 when they collaborated
employee matched me with the
with the highly esteemed Pantone Color
Color IQ device, and upon
Institute to create Color IQ, a system that calculates and catalogs customers’ skin
Warm No. 20
Neutral No. 00
tones to find the perfect match across all Sephora products. A handheld device is used to scan several parts of the surface of the skin, averaging out to a four-digit code that is allegedly the exact skin tone. Of course, most skin is not all one shade, but Color IQ is meant to find the shade that, when applied, will bring about a flawless and even complexion. If the customer is a Sephora Beauty Insider, they can store the code in their account, and from then on any complexion product that they browse through will be the color they have been
swatching the color on my face, grimaced and said, “Noooo.” Since I had gone over the summer, my tan and freckles had given a false read of a much too dark skin tone. After making this observation, the Sephora employee matched me to the correct shade and sent me on my way with a great new foundation.
BEHIND THE SCENES
matched with.
Cool No. 10
W H AT’S Y O U R C O LO R I Q? by C A R O L I N E D U F F Y
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Inclusive Beauty
Empowered by Technology by Ry ann Case y The year is 2018 and women of color still can’t find their shade. Nude still means beige to the majority of beauty companies. New York Fashion Week has seen a 0.4 percent increase in diversity on their runway. Brand after brand releases ad campaigns dripping with tokenism for foundation ranges that include one deep shade for every 20 light beige shades. Despite these facts that read more like 1968 than 2018, technology has facilitated a major change in beauty. For once, people of all races, shapes and gender identities have a say in what is beautiful. Beauty is an inclusive spectrum coming from a community of real people rather than brands and designers force-feeding a whitewashed, starved, and retouched version of what beauty “should” be.
VOICES ARE HEARD
BEAUTY IDEALS CHANGE
B R A N D A C C O U N TA B I LT Y
Thanks to the internet, anyone has the
NYFW Fall 2018 shows turned over
There’s nowhere left for brands to hide,
power to make a change. Beauty influencers
despicable inclusivity stats with models of
and when they do hide it only makes
are using their voices to speak to their
color accounting for merely 37.3 percent of
things worse. Tarte recently released a
huge followings about what is no longer
models. Despite this general lack of diversity,
disgusting shade range for their Shape Tape
acceptable from brands. Alissa Ashley and
Chromat and Gypsy Sport stood out; 70 to
foundation, and instead of admitting fault,
Makeupshayla are women of color and
80 percent of both brand’s models were
they disabled comments under their Shape
YouTube beauty vloggers who use their
non-white. Off the runway, beauty brands
Tape related posts. The beauty community
influence to showcase what products do
like Glossier continue to show the many
has continued to express their feelings
or do not work for their skin tones. Nyma
diverse faces of beauty. With Glossier’s Body
and boycott the brand because of their
Tang, another beauty influencer, has a
Hero launch they showcased different body
clear disregard for people of color. On the
“Darkest Shade” series of videos dedicated
types and age ranges that fall far outside of
other hand, brands like Fenty Beauty and
to showing how the darkest shade of a
traditional beauty advertisement.
Cover FX have released expansive shade
foundation range looks on her skin tone.
ranges to be sure nobody is alienated from
These women are all holding brands
their brand. A future based in technology
accountable for their unacceptable shade
is leading to inclusivity in beauty, and the
ranges and encouraging their followers to do
more access consumers have to technology,
the same.
the more power they have to craft a beauty conversation that includes them.
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BEAUTY TOOLS THAT MEASURE YOUR HEALTH By Caroline Wilcox
H I M I R R O R P L U S ($ 2 9 9) This 14-inch, high-tech mirror allows users to save personal data in a private environment, tracking their improvements over time. It includes LED lights that simulate five different lighting scenarios to help apply makeup appropriately for each occasion and location. Its skin analysis engine can assess various skin conditions such as wrinkles, fine lines, dark spots, and pores so they can be effectively targeted and improved. HiMirror Plus is controlled by gestures, voice commands, and a remote control that eliminates smudges and fingerprints. The mirror can facilitate makeup application as one can choose a desired makeup look, watch video tutorials, and preview how you’ll look with the virtual makeup feature.
Skin care is getting a makeover as we enter a new age of technology. Rather than stocking up on sheet masks and moisturizers, new gadgets are being introduced that allow people to self-identify and treat skin issues to reach their beauty goals.
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SKINSCANNER FROM NEUTROGENA IN PA RT N E R S H I P W I T H F I T S K I N ($ 5 0) The SkinScanner attaches to the upper portion of a smartphone and uses a combination of sensors, 12 LED lights, and a 30-times magnification lens to magnify an image of the skin. The SkinScanner assigns a score up to 100 in three categories: moisture levels, wrinkles, and pore size. It syncs with an app called Skin360 to show a person’s skin health over time and provide suggestions for improvement.
K E R A S TA S E H A I R C O A C H P O W E R E D BY W I T H I N G S ($ 2 0 0) Withing’s sensors and L’Oréal’s signal analysis algorithms work together to read and score your hair as a microphone listens to the sound of the strands. The Hair Coach reads when frizziness, dryness, split ends, and breakage are present. An accelerometer and gyroscope analyzing brushing patterns and counting brush strokes lets you know when you’re overdoing it. The information, which feeds into an app, provides a hair-quality score, data on brushing habits, personalized tips, and product recommendations.
L’O R É A L U V S E N S E ($ 5 0) UV Sense is a battery-free, wearable electronic UV sensor that provides information about ultraviolet exposure levels. It’s less than Left: amazon.com RIght: neutrogena.com / allure.com / lorealusa.com / wired.com
2 millimeters thick and 9 millimeters in diameter and is worn on the thumbnail. Despite its size, it can store up to three months of data and can be worn up to two weeks at a time. The sensor is powered by UVA and UVB rays and is accompanied by an app that transfers data using near field communication (NFC)a technology. The app details when the wearer should be mindful of UV exposure and provides facts about sun exposure as well as tips for protection.
S A M S U N G S S K I N (P R I C E S U N K N O W N) The S Skin is composed of a device that analyzes the skin and provides LED care as well as a biodegradable microneedle patch. Questionnaires within the app allow S Skin to get to know its user’s skin type and management habits. The device’s sensors measure skin’s moisture, melanin, and red spots, thus recommending the microneedle patch and LED light color that best suits the skin type. The different LED lights include wrinkle care, firming and lifting, trouble care, and whitening.
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Best Apps for Beauty Lovers
by Liv Bartfield
The link between the beauty industry and technology is one that is constantly improving. As apps like Instagram and Snapchat make sharing your face easier than ever, the need for beauty apps is on the rise too. Hey, beauty lovers: Instead of downloading and deleting countless apps trying to find the best of the best, we did it for you!
Sephora App While Sephora may just be a store for some, beauty lovers worldwide use the Sephora app as a form of social media! Using the app, you can connect with makeup enthusiasts using their Community feature. Here you can find product recommendations, skin care advice, and more through forum-like groups, all while simultaneously shopping!
Priv Sometimes life gets too busy to spend hours at the salon. Priv gets it. Through Priv, you can get beauty services delivered right to your door. Hair, makeup, and nail services can be booked with only an hour’s notice. More interested in internal beauty? Priv also allows you to book at-home fitness, yoga, and massage services at the touch of a fingertip.
GlamScout We have all seen celebrities rocking makeup looks that seem impossible to recreate. Now, with GlamScout, you can snap a photo of any look from a magazine or online photo and the app is able to identify makeup matches and dupes! Using analyzing technology, the app is able to figure out the best products to achieve a similar look. Featuring over 80 beauty brands, this app gives you an accurate list of products to re-create looks you love.
Indulge: The Nail Snob App Ever find the perfect shade for your manicure at the nail salon, but you can never remember the crazy name of the polish when looking for it in-store? This app does the remembering for you. Next time you get a mani/pedi, simply use this app to scan the barcode on the bottom of the bottle and upload a photo of the polish after application. Indulge will display all your past colors in one convenient location.
L’Oréal Makeup Genius Sick of swatching every shade of eyeshadow on your hand in the makeup aisle? L’Oréal’s Makeup Genius app is a must-have for makeup addicts. Using advanced facial tracking technology, you can try different shades of multiple products on with just your smartphone’s camera. This technology allows you to try out different makeup looks, ultimately saving you time in the store later on.
B E S T A P P S F O R B E A U T Y LO V E R S by L I V B A RT F I E L D
INTERACTIVE TATTOOS b y
m e l o d y
k i e f e r
In popular culture, tattoos are often
“by featuring tissue cells with interactive
associated with artists, bikers, or nights of
properties, the skin can change its color,
drunken revelry. Tattoos are criticized for
light intensity, or structure to display
their expense and permanence and receive
information. Hence, the skin cells become a
the bad reputation of being an unnecessary
pixel screen to be decoded by the user, other
vanity. However, this ancient art, practiced by
viewers, or cameras.”
humans for over 5,000 years, is now offering researchers new and cutting-edge ways to approach biomedical engineering.
This development could especially work wonders for diabetics. Currently, many diabetics need to monitor their glucose by
New uses are being developed for
pricking their skin three to 10 times a day.
tattoos thanks to researchers at Harvard
This new development would eliminate this
Medical School and MIT’s Media Lab.
painful process. Instead of piercing their skin
Scientists are working on bio-sensitive ink
daily, diabetics would be able to just check
for tattoos that can monitor certain health
a tattoo to monitor their need for insulin.
issues and have opened a number of
The tattoo would then change colors—in
possibilities with the interactive art. Katia
this case, from brown to blue—based on
Vega, researcher for project DermalAbyss,
their glucose levels. A second type of
has created three different types of
monitor that reads the pH levels in
biosensor inks that measure the shifts of
the body changes from pink to
interstitial fluid in your skin; they change
purple, while a different
color based on the levels of glucose, sodium,
type of pH sensor
or pH in the body. This process could be
fluoresces at a
used to make medical diagnoses or give
higher intensity
people with medical conditions necessary
under UV
data about the body.
light. With
Researchers on this project wished
the
to bypass the normal drawbacks with
on-going advancements of
current wearable monitoring devices. A constant reoccurring issue with wearable monitoring devices currently is that they
science and technology, tattoos are becoming more than merely an
don’t seamlessly integrate with the body.
artform. Perhaps,
The device must always be worn by the
havingthe ability to
wearer, not to mention the concern of a short battery life and the need for wireless connectivity. These issues are erased with
change our everyday lives and routines.
the color-based interface of bio-sensitive tattoo ink. According to the MIT Media Lab,
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Makeup Artist in Your Pocket by Kiana Clevinger P R O D U C T T RY-O N As it sounds, Product Try-On allows the user to instantly try on makeup—virtually—using a photograph of themselves. You can choose the categories—Lip, Shadow, Eyeliner, Lash, or Cheek—to select products. From the five categories you can choose from a range of shades. When you choose a shade you like, Sephora will tell you which product that shade came from, then you can instantly add it to your cart from there. You also have the option to save looks and filter the options based on what you want your product to do.
LO O K S The Looks section is a collection of makeup looks that Sephora makeup experts created that you can try on using your photo. When you click on Looks, it will ask for your skin tone and bring up the looks best suited for you. Like Product Try-On, when you click on the look it will bring up which products were used. You can also choose what kind of look you want based on the categories: Daytime, Trend, Event, and Nighttime. Also, you can click the “Compare” button in the lower right corner on the app where you can compare your bare face with the makeup look. This feature is unique as you can slide the bar over any part of your face and compare any facial feature you want.
V I RT U A L T U T O R I A L Virtual Tutorial is found exclusively on the Sephora app and shows various makeup and step-by-step tutorials. A few of them, such as eyebrow shape and eyeliner length, allow you to choose what kind of look you might want. Before it starts, the tutorial will inform you of general products you will need to complete the tutorial. At each step of the tutorial, you are able to swipe up and Sephora will tell you specific products they sell that will work best for For those who prefer online shopping because it’s less stressful or because they just plain feel lazy sometimes, Sephora Virtual Artist
that area. At the end of the tutorial, you are able to take a picture of your completed look and save it for future reference.
was made for you. The program was first seen in an app update in
Sephora is a leader in beauty retail so it’s only natural that it would
2017, so it’s relatively new. The program is an artificial intelligence
amp up its mobile presence and stand out in the market with
(AI) that allows people to virtually try on makeup, teaches them how
something a little different. Although other cosmetic companies
to apply it, and puts looks together for users depending on their
like L’Oréal and Estée Lauder have launched similar AI programs for
preferences. Virtual Artist is made up of three parts: Product Try-On,
their brands, Sephora’s features everything that the company sells,
Looks, and Virtual Tutorials. The first two, Product Try-on and Looks,
therefore there is a larger selection of brands and shades to choose
can be found on Sephora’s app or website, whereas the Virtual
from. Virtual Artist is a convenient tool for those makeup lovers who wish
Tutorials are app-exclusive.
to try on makeup but don’t want to leave the comforts of their home.
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BOUGIE on a BUDGET High Tech Beauty Gadgets Under $100 E.L.F. B E A U T Y S H I E L D M A G N E T I C M A S K K I T $ 2 4 (TA R G E T) This past year, masks have been all the rage, and with a progressive edge in technology, e.l.f. Cosmetics released a new magnetic mask. The kit includes a magnetic tool and an iron-based powder mask formula that is activated by the magnet. Simply lather the product on and leave it to dry before passing the magnetic tool along your face, lifting your impurities while leaving the skin feeling soft and renewed.
N E U T R O G E N A L I G H T T H E R A P Y A C N E S P OT T R E AT M E N T $ 2 0 (TA R G E T) Light therapy is a painless skin care treatment that works by using bright light-emitting diodes that send low-level light energy into the deep layers of the skin. There are On right: elfcosmetics.com / neutrogena.com / amazon.com
multiple benefits of light therapy, however this treatment can be extremely expensive due to its advanced technology. No need to fret—Neutrogena has an inexpensive, portable acne spot treatment that uses red and blue LED light to reduce breakouts.
PA N A S O N I C N A N O C A R E D AY M O I S T U R I Z E R $ 7 5 (A M A Z O N) The perfect technology for the lazy, this contrivance moisturizes your skin and hair for two continuous weeks. Panasonic’s Nanocare Day Moisturizer is a device that releases moisture into the air without having to constantly refill with water unlike a common diffuser. Simply plug it into a USB power outlet and let the magic happen, as the device will turn off automatically.
B OAURT G IIEC LOEN NAAB MUEDby G EPTEby R SFOI N O NNAA M L IEA O
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HUMANOID MAKEUP I’m going to describe a woman to you. She is around 35 years of age. She has white skin, a thin frame, and blue eyes. She speaks in an American English dialect. Her clothing is modest, and her skin is clear. She wears slight makeup and a gentle smile. This woman, not a rarity, sounds like a cool aunt, a neighbor, or a professor. She is the average female figure in our everyday lives. But how common is she really? Only about 30 percent of the world population, as explained by Snopes.com, is Caucasian and only 8 percent have blue eyes. As the game of guess-who gets smaller and smaller, this woman becomes less and less common, inspiring the question: Is she even human at all? Sophia the Robot, the woman humanoid described above, was created by Hanson Robotics in April of 2015. David Hanson, her creator, modeled Sophia after the historic icon and actress Audrey Hepburn. Sophia is classic and pretty. She is a reflection of the woman we so casually know, designed to meticulously simulate the human experience. Since her creation, she has travelled worldwide, becoming a global face of innovation and creation. In the words of Hanson Robotics, “She has become a media darling, appearing on major media outlets around the world, igniting the interest of people regardless of age, gender, and culture, even gracing the cover of one of the top fashion magazines.” Sophia, a model inspired by and created for the human population, is the face of the future.
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For centuries, the face of the future has almost always been one that looks exactly like Sophia. Besides being a woman, she resembles a member of the white American, upper-middle class. If she is meant to embody the human experience, then it is a very specific and privileged one at that. In the past decade, the global awareness of others and inclusivity of all demographics has made immense progress. To yet again pin a white, middle-aged American at the forefront of it all seems besides boring. Sophia, originally created in Hong Kong at Hanson Robotics, has travelled worldwide and even became a citizen of Saudi Arabia. She has attracted over 10 billion viewings across all forms of media, from those astonished by her impressive language and expression. With such a
By Grace Peisker Produced by Kayla Nicholson Photography by Chloe Chandler Makeup by Danielle Duvidzon Stylist Domenica Romo Modeled by Eric Maginnis, Iman Bokhari,
Atlantys Tunicael, Ava, John
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massive, diverse audience, it is important that society’s leaders break the status quo rather than enforce it. Next is the issue of attention. Who would care less if Sophia was black? Or Asian? Would she obtain the same amount of views on YouTube, or invitations to speak at conferences, interviews, and meetings of the intelligence community? To address this problem is virtually the same as addressing racism and prejudice in humans as it is in robots. That being said, imagine an Indian Sophia. India contributes 1.3 billion lives into the global population. They too are at the forefront of technology, producing some of the smartest, most innovative thinkers in the world. Imagine if they saw a humanoid of their own race; one representing a culture not often recognized in the Western world. The feeling of inclusivity is unmatched, especially living in a society that is still working towards equality. Students at FIT are at the forefront of technology, culture, and design. The newest creations today are the norms of tomorrow. Additionally, we are a diverse campus, which churns out partnerships, ideas, and unmatched growth that could not be achieved otherwise. The next Hanson Robotics could be among us, or even reading this right now. This is why it is so important to be inclusive. Until more robots immerse into society, as Hanson Robotics predicts they will, it’s hard to pinpoint how they will impact the global community. Sophia’s goal is to aid in the lifestyles of the elderly, lonely, and needy, ranging from occupations like hospice workers to personal assistants. Until then, it is our job as artists, designers, creative thinkers, innovators, and most important, FIT students, to change world in our own humbling, human way.
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DIGITAL THINKING: C.J. YEH founder, cynda media lab, cyndamedialab.com professor, communication design; coordinator, creative technology minor, fit FIT Communication Design Professor C.J. Yeh is the founder of the design studio Cynda Media Lab. He is also an author and a digital artist. He has published seven books to date, several of which have been adopted by universities in his native Taiwan as textbooks. He recently co-founded one of the first academic minors for FIT’s School of Art and Design—Creative Technology—which teaches students digital content design and product design and uses a flexible, interdisciplinary curriculum. Besides awards for his work in industry, Yeh has won multiple teaching awards including the FIT President’s Award for Faculty Excellence, the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, and the Adobe Educators’ Choice Awards. BLUSH: As a creative, what made you gravitate towards a career so centralized around technology? C.J. Yeh: Curiosity. I believe in being curious, having an uncanny desire to learn, and never willing to settle for a solution simply because it is something that you are good at or feel comfortable with. That’s the reason that I named my design studio Cynda Media “Lab” because I never want myself or anyone who works for me to become stagnate. At Cynda Media Lab, we believe we should never stop asking “why,” constantly explore “what if,” and always have the courage to try the “why not.” In my opinion, these are the most important qualities for people who want to be successful in the creative fields. A lot of these new experiences, explorations, or experimentations may not become useful right away, or ever. But it is important to have these “data” in your memory bank because you never know whether or when it might become the solution or the trigger to a new solution for the problem that you are trying to solve.
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For example, back in 2013, I put myself on the developer program for Leap Motion (leapmotion.com) and purchased a testing unit. The device’s capability to do hand and finger tracking is amazing, but I never really did much with it professionally because I don’t do “tech for tech’s sake.” I only use a technology when I believe it is the most effective. Five years later, Leap Motion becomes a centerpiece in the newest installation that I am working on right now. This project is called “A Split Second of Eternity.” It is an octaptych that contains eight 16-foot-by-4foot oil paintings on linen. This painting series is essentially a “timelapse” painting series of a rose going through the process from blooming to withering. The concept of this piece is about memory so I needed a way for the viewers to experience owning something that he/she can not hold on to. Using Leap Motion, I created a guestal interface for the installation. If the viewer put his/her thumb and index finger together like he/she would holding a rose, the rose will come back to life virtually, but only for a few seconds before it inevitably fades away. The idea of having a “creative databank” is similar to the concept of “critical age” in music education—the idea that the most important time in a child’s musical life is from
to know the ingredients? This sound or
ancient technology that originated from the
birth to around 18 months. The child needs to
taste could be from ancient China or a lost
movable type invented by the Chinese around
be exposed to as many different sounds as
civilization, it doesn’t really matter. It is part
1040 A.D., but they dismiss the possibility and
possible during this period of time because
of our obligation as creatives to continue
beauty embedded in digital technology. That’s
they can make connections to more different
enriching our knowledge and understanding
why I have reasons to believe that their “this
types of sound for the rest of their life.
of our field and as many other related fields
is about design not technology” statement
as possible.
is hypocritical. They don’t really believe
Why do you think it is important for creatives to understand digital culture and new technologies?
I know there are many anti-technology designers who say, “This is about design not technology. Good design is good design.”
This is really not about technology. It is
The funny thing is, these designers usually
design is separated from execution. They’d just much rather stay with the technologies that they are comfortable with and dismiss digitaltechnology as a production technique.
an attitude. If you are a musician and heard
love letterpress, silkscreen, lithography, etc.,
a new sound that you never heard before,
all of which are technology for executing
to understand digital culture and technology.
wouldn’t you be curious to learn how the
design concepts. They can talk all day about
The keyword is “understand.” You do not have
sound was produced? If you are a chef and
the beauty of letterpress printing which is an
to be a fan, but you must understand. If you
I believe it is essential for young designers
tasted a new flavor, wouldn’t you be curious
D I G I TA L T H I N K I N G: C.J. Y E H by L E N A KO U R G O U Z O V
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[Fellow FIT] Professor [Christie] Shin and
look at my artwork over the years, you
technologies. For example, the “desktop
will realize, although I often utilize digital
publishing” software replaces photo
I started using the term “digital thinking” to
technology in my work, I am actually
typositor and mechanical boards. We
describe this advanced state of being able to
somewhat critical of digital technology
are probably the last generation of digital
merge creativity and digital technology. It is
and culture. My De-Purpose series is a
immigrants. Most of us digital immigrants
also an attitude. We want our students from
perfect example of how I express my
have a hard time understanding digital
FIT’s Creative Technology & Design program
concerns about social media culture and
natives because we didn’t grow up with
to take the leadership roles and become
phenomenon.
it. This is not about being better or worse,
creators instead of just being consumers of
we are just different generations. Digital
technology.
Like it or not, digital technology is the most important tool, channel, and platform for communications today. How can you become successful in the field of communication design and not have a deep
immigrants’ first frame of reference for things that are mostly tactile and “real” in our own definitions. For digital natives, digital technology
understanding and command of digital
is a lifestyle. The speed and the kind of
technology?
communications that are happening in the
In general, have you noticed the role that tech plays in people’s lives shift? How do you think it will be different in, say, 10 years? People use technology more, but we
digital space are hard for digital immigrants
understand/control it less. I believe part of
to understand. That’s why I believe the
this is the fact that it is not in the technology
how different and limited their interaction
“design hero” era is coming to an end, and
companies’ best interests to allow you to
with computers was when they were
we are going into the “design innovator”
peek inside of the black box. Adobe doesn’t
in college. In the time that you’ve been
period, which will be led by digital natives
really want you to learn programming,
teaching at FIT, have you seen a dramatic
who understand digital technology is more
because without that command, you will
change in the way students interact with
than a design tool. To me, the key is not
be forever dependent on their software. For
tech?
about knowing how to use a software
the same reason, Apple doesn’t even want
program or coding for production. Again,
you to see the folders and files anymore.
am probably one of the younger professors
it is about command, meaning a deep
The less command you have for your digital
in the department. For my generation, a
understanding of contemporary culture and
life, the more you will become dependent on
computer is just a tool. It replaces older
the mastery over digital media.
their products.
We hear many professors talk about
I am not young anymore, but I think I
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Recently we’ve seen how disruptive “fast fashion” was to the fashion industry. How else do you see technology impacting the future of the industry? I believe the future of design is innovation. The design hero era was an amazing period of exploration of visual communication styles, but it is becoming “design for design’s sake,” which has great value, but it is detached from the root of design which is to solve problems. Technology has provided creatives platforms and tools to make real differences. The new generation of successful designers will have to do a lot more than visual communications. That’s why the Creative Technology and Design discipline at FIT focuses on digital content design and digital product design. We believe a good design solves a problem, but a great digital product can change people’s lives.
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IMS RE ALIT Y THE SIMS REALIT The Sims Reality : BLUSH Magazine The Sims Reality : BLUSH Magazine The Sims Reality : BLUSH Magazine
The Sims Reality : BLUSH Magazine
T H E S I M S R E A L I T Y by V L A D I S L AVA B U L AT N I KO VA
THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS FASHION BEAUTY CULTURE 43 REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. Remember those days when you could “create” your significant others in the life-simulation video game The Sims by choosing the THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS way they would look and deciding what personality they would have? What if somebody told you that you will be able to create a REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. real-world, life-size version in future? Instead of wasting your time getting to know other people and hoping to find your sweetheart THE SIMS REALITY. SIMS SIMS SIMS who meets your THE high standards, youREALITY. will be able to get THE a humanoid that willREALITY. look and behave THE the way you want. REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THEArtificial SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. intelligence (AI) robot Sophia, who was introduced by Hanson Robotics in 2015 and is the first robot who became a THE SIMS REALITY. THE REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. SIMS happen REALITY. full citizen of Saudi Arabia,SIMS is what our future relationships potentially will look like. People try THE to make everything too fast THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE REALITY. THE SIMSwith REALITY. and too easily. The question is, do our future SIMS relationships also need to face that fascination “fast and easy”THE or do weSIMS still need REALITY. healthy human relationships? THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THEToday, SIMS THE SIMS REALITY. REALITY. THE SIMS peopleREALITY. are drowning in enormous hours of work, studying, and THE trying to SIMS be the smartest and most perfect versions of REALITY. themselves. TheyTHE are forgetting about simple communications each other. It is easier forTHE us than ever to communicate over THE SIMS THE SIMS REALITY. SIMS REALITY. THE with SIMS REALITY. SIMS REALITY. the phone, text message, or Facetime, so do SIMS we really even need our significant to be a human being? It seems like SIMS we alreadyREALITY. REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE REALITY. THEother SIMS REALITY. THE have “human relationships” with our gadgets. Maybe it is easier for us not to spend time getting to know other people and searching THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS for that “one and only,” when we can create a person based on our needs. When AI offers fast-learning and updated information, REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. anyone will be able to create their own Sophia and add criteria they want to see in a humanoid. Of course, this probably won’t be THE SIMS REALITY. SIMS possible until 50 THE years from now, butREALITY. when it is, will thatTHE play wellSIMS with us? REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THESure, SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. the idea of creating your significant other seems cool and could make our lives easier, but our future generations are THE SIMS REALITY. REALITY. THE SIMS THEhave SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS in danger. As we THE know for SIMS now, robots can’t have children. A woman matedREALITY. with a robot can always a child through in vitro REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. fertilization, however for a man, notTHE so easy. SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS Actually, the TV show Black Mirror, which offers newTHE stories in every episode about our techno-future, broughtREALITY. up this problem THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS“BeREALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. in the episode Right Back.” A young woman could not get over her grief after theSIMS death of her boyfriend, so she decided to order a robot thatTHE looked identical her lost love. The problem that something was missing; he was just a body with collected THE SIMS THE SIMS REALITY. SIMSto REALITY. THE was SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. information of her boyfriend through texts and videos of him. Eventually, THE she ended up keeping him in the attic for the rest of his REALITY. REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY.THE SIMS REALITY. SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS “life.” She could not destroy him, but she could not have a normal relationship with the robot either. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS Today, there is only one Sophia in existence, and there are decades leftTHE until weSIMS will start interacting with humanoids. So maybe REALITY. REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. REALITY. THE SIMS we should cherish this time and try to enjoy human relationships in every aspect of its form until humanoids get to us. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. SIMS REALITY. THEothers SIMS THE SIMS Remember thoseTHE days when you could “create” your significant in theREALITY. life-simulation video game The Sims byREALITY. choosing the wayTHE SIMS they would look and deciding what personality they would have? What if somebody you that you will be able toTHE create aSIMS real-world,REALITY. REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE told SIMS REALITY. life-size version inTHE future? Instead of wasting your time getting know otherREALITY. people and hopingTHE to find your sweetheart who meets THE SIMS THE SIMS REALITY. SIMS REALITY. THEto SIMS SIMS REALITY. your high standards, you will be able to get a humanoid that will look and behave the way you want. REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. Artificial intelligence robot Sophia, who was introduced Hanson Robotics in 2015 andTHE is the first robot who became a full THE SIMS THE SIMS REALITY. THE(AI)SIMS REALITY. THEbySIMS REALITY. SIMS REALITY. citizen of Saudi Arabia, is what our future relationships potentially will look like. People try to make everything happen too fast and too REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. easily. The question is, do our future relationships also need to face that fascination with “fast and easy” or do we still need healthy THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS human relationships? REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. Today, people are drowning in enormous hours of work, studying, and trying to be the smartest and most perfect versions of THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS themselves. They are forgetting about simple communications with each other. It is easier for us than ever to communicate over the REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. phone, text message, or Facetime, so do we really even need our significant other to be a human being? It seems like we already have THE SIMS REALITY. THE REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. THE “human relationships” withSIMS our gadgets. Maybe it is easier for us not to spend time getting to know otherSIMS people andREALITY. searching for thatTHE SIMS REALITY. THE SIMS REALITY. SIMS REALITY. THEfast-learning SIMS and REALITY. THEanyone SIMS “one and only,” when we can create aTHE person based on our needs. When AI offers updated information, will REALITY.
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be able to create their own Sophia and add criteria they want to see in a humanoid. Of course, this probably won’t be possible until 50
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THE END OF AN ERA,
Within the next five years, it is predicted one in four
it means to be a retailer in the age of e-commerce and
malls will close down in America.
social media.
Currently, there are close to 1,100 malls still in
Some retailers have found success in “retailment,”
operation. Just in New York, there is 31 percent retail
or retail entertainment. In December, Google opened a
vacancy in storefronts; a rate that is usually an indicator
pop-up shop that was a giant snow globe where anyone
of an economic depression. The country, however, is
can hop into squares of foam and pose for pictures
not going through an economic decline, only a major
taken by Google’s new Pixel 2 smartphone. Visitors
societal shift. The American shopping mall that
were able to try the new product while doing their
has been our public square for over 60 years is meeting
holiday shopping. Recently, the NFL experience opened
its end.
in Times Square, allowing fans to become part of the
This foretells an end to a pillar in American culture. Economists say this is a natural result of a country
action in an augmented-reality experience.
The in-store experience is successfully driving foot
that is “over-retailed.” After all, most Macy’s stores are
traffic. Data shows that fear of missing out, along with
within a 10-mile radius of another Macy’s store. Others
the experiences offered, are driving consumers to walk
theorize that the ease of online shopping is making in-
into the stores. The National Retail Federation reports
person shopping irrelevant. Then there is the millennial
52 percent of millennials and Generation Z shoppers go
shopper, the one marketers cannot seem to understand
to retail stores because they are new, or just opened.
how to reach. The reality is, all of these theories factor
And 49 percent of them walk into stores for the
into the retail decline.
experience or food options.
Modern-day shoppers are really in search of one
Not only are people more likely to go into the stores,
thing: a personalized experience. There is now a need
there are more likely to post about it as well. Samsung
to feel as though the brands shoppers care about
837, in New York’s Meatpacking District, is a store that
reciprocate the sentiment. A personalized experience
has nothing for sale. It is a storefront that is purely
can mean an all-experience storefront, first-class
just for experience. They have been able to find that
customer service, or serving beer while selling books.
one in three people who go through experience, post
Despite the rumors, millennials are statistically very loyal shoppers. The key is, to win that loyalty. The industry also shouldn’t forget that as Generation Z gets older, their income is becoming more dispensable as well. Now more than ever, brands are questioning what
about it. This creates an organic social media presence and makes these consumers into genuine brand ambassadors.
Whether it is purely for marketing, or causing a
genuine shift in retail, it is too soon to tell. But, studies
and the Rise of Another
have shown that by 2020, in-store experience will be the second largest area in which retailers will invest. This can potentially present a new way for Americans to
shop, but more important, to socialize and connect with one another.
T H E E N D O F A N E R A, A N D T H E R I S E O F A N OT H E R by N E R M E E N I L E I WAT
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With these home robots come many questions. Are they always listening? Are they
WHEN HOME BECOMES A
ROBOT
recording everything that I say? Are they spying on me?! While it may seem slightly creepy and maybe even scary, these home robots are always listening, but they are only listening for their “wake-up” command, such as “Alexa,” “Okay, Google,” and “Hey, Siri.” Once the device is awake, the home robot records whatever is being said and sends the recording to a server to process the audio and prepare a response. A rumor went around stating that Amazon was listening in on conversations to gain data on what advertisements their Echo device should play for customers. Amazon came forward claiming that they do not use the voice recordings of their customers. One slight issue with the smart speakers is that anyone can control your device
Lately companies have been figuring out
by saying the wake-up command. In 2017, a young girl “accidentally” ordered $170
ways to get more invested in our lives—
worth of cookies and a dollhouse from her Amazon Echo. There are also many
home robots are their response. Three main companies that have created home robots are Google, Amazon, and
stories of these home robots being “woken up” by television characters, actors in commercials, and even news anchors. But like
most recently, Apple. These
many things, you have to do
home robots, also called home/
your research beforehand
voice assistants or smart
and see if these smart
speakers, can do many tasks,
speakers are for you. While
from playing music to keeping
you should not put your
you organized and informed
whole life in the hands
with up-to-date weather and
of these home robots
news. They can even tell jokes.
they can make everyday tasks easier.
These home robots vary in both price and aesthetic design. The Apple HomePod and the Amazon Echo look similar to portable speakers, while the Google Home Max slightly resembles a free-standing air freshener. All of these home robots are offered in different colors, so they will match whatever room in which they are placed. One of the main uses of these products is as a home speaker. The Google and Amazon home robots can play music from different platforms such as Spotify and Pandora, however the Apple HomePod only plays music from Apple Music, your iTunes music purchases, and Apple podcasts.
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R O B OT S A R E C O M I N G F O R Y O U R J O B … A N D T H E Y M I G H T B E B E T T E R AT I T. Imagine this: a world where non-human beings completed the
and pharmacies will begin to feature a single pill-dispensing robot
various tasks that were once assigned to you. What if they invaded
in the back of their stores, so that pharmacists can focus more on
your workplace, and assumed the career that you were trained and
consulting with patients.
educated to do? And what if they were better at it?
While this is happening, robots will have already made their way
The revolution of automation is closer than you think. Nearly 200
into normal human civilization. Artificial intelligence is currently
years ago, 70 percent of Americans worked and lived on farms. Now,
present in many of our machines, we just aren’t aware of it. A new
automation has taken over about 99 percent of their jobs, replacing
piece of software called Quill, created by Narrative Science, can do as
human workers with machines. This could lead one to believe that
much as write newspaper stories about sports games directly from
the economy might come to a sudden collapse. Instead, automation
accessing the games’ statistics. Quill can also develop a synopsis of
has created hundreds of millions of jobs in entirely new fields that we
a company’s stock performance every day, just from collecting bits
never even knew could exist.
of text and data from the internet. Essentially, any job that requires
Now, those who were once farmers and labor workers have the opportunity to work in factories producing things such as equipment, automobiles, and other industrial products. Since then, wave after wave of new occupations have arrived: appliance repair man, professional chef, photographer, makeup artist, graphic designer, and so on. Each new automation building off of its previous one. Automation will bring the wave of a new revolution—one that is centered around artificial intelligence, sensors, machine learning, and distributed smarts. This wave of automation will affect all jobs on the spectrum; from manual labor jobs to intense cognitive work, machines will begin to take over in already automated industries. Robots will continue to replace assembly line workers, and eventually migrate into positions in warehouses. Heavy labor work will be filled by speedy bots, who are able to lift 150 to 200 pounds all day long.
the skills of writing and handling paperwork can and will be done by robots—including professions in the medical field. As it seems, even areas not specifically defined by paperwork, such as surgery, are becoming increasingly more robot-like. Which poses the question: Will there come a day when robots could potentially save our lives? The mere truth here is any information-intensive job is capable of being done by robots. Doctors, lawyers, architects, engineers, reporters, and even programmers, be warned: Robots are coming for your job… and they’re probably going to do it better than you. Not to worry, though! Automation has already led the majority of the population to decide that humans were meant to be ballerinas, musicians, mathematicians, athletes, fashion designers, and yoga instructors. Which is how we ended up here, the revolution of automation. Now, we wait for the day when robots will do our most
Janitor jobs consisting of cleaning offices
Although, when that day does come, we
and schools will be taken over by late-night robots,
basic work: feed us, clothe us, and give us shelter.
by DANI SMITH
R O B OT S A RAERT C IOCM LE I NNGAFMOER by Y OPUER R SJO ON BN byAD MAEN I S M I T H
will again be forced to ask, “What should we do now?”
Digital Currency - Banki....
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Secure https://digitalcurrency.org/en/ BANKING THE UNBANKED
BY T YA N A T E AT-V I C K E R S
Digital currency is one of the most amazing inventions to date. Most of us can’t imagine a life without it. We have the ability to access instant information on purchases, deposits, and bills, and we are able to pay those bills right there on the spot. With newer apps like Venmo and Zelle, money can be instantly sent to anyone at any time of day. Publicly posting and updating every time you send and receive money, the app keeps a general account of all transactions that occurred and how much money was accessed. But what if all of that was anonymous? What if no one in the world could track your spending habits? Meet the potential future of monetary currency: blockchains. The anonymous currency of blockchains act as a way to send, receive, and save your funds. Although blockchains seem like a newer phenomenon, they have actually been around just as long as the internet has. Blockchains have the security to allow you to transfer and receive money on a shared network. Providing you with an anonymous ID number, it prevents anyone, including banks and law enforcement, from seeing your money or tracing the transaction back to its source. The blockchains completely remove the middleman from having access to your funds while enforcing high-tech cryptography to keep it secure. Not only does it protect your funds, but your assets as well. Blockchain technology allows you to keep every record you’ve ever had completely secure and anonymous to anyone who tries to access it. Some popular companies that are starting to invest in blockchain technology are Microsoft, IBM, and Overstock.com. Even though blockchain technology seems to be the way of the future, there are still some downfalls to this new banking system. For example, blockchains aren’t as completely impenetrable as they may seem. In 2017, one common app that is known for using blockchains to trade money was hacked and a total loss of $65 million was reported. This was a result of the app’s users unsecurely leaving files open for hackers to enter. Hopefully, with everchanging advancements in technology, these issues will subside over time. Overall, the power of blockchain technology is growing as we enter a more advanced era in terms of electronics. The technology is becoming so advanced that it may even have the potential to close down banks and cut out the middleman for good. According to Forbes, nine out of 10 people agree that blockchain will disrupt the banking and financial industry, while it is estimated that banks could save $8 billion to $12 billion annually if they used blockchain technology. Both a blessing and a curse, blockchain has the ability to both help and harm the financial system of today. The system of blockchain can be confusing to understand, especially with technology changing so quickly these days. Some may admire the untraceable currency, while others refuse anything but a classic bank-and-teller system. The transition from physical interaction to a digital world leads us to ask ourselves once again: Are we ready to cut out the middleman?
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DIGITAL ARTISTRY Artists throughout history have always responded to new technologies. While some analyze the way technology influences their lives and society, others simply choose to explore the new media available to them. Digital Artistry features the work of four FIT students who either take a look at the effects of technology on modern society or approach traditional methods of art-making, such as painting and collage, using digital tools. Scan this feature’s accompanying QR code to read each artist’s statement and see more of their work!
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ARTIST STATEMENTS & MORE CONTENT
H O N E Y B E E by J U L I A N A C A M P I S I
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Technology. Period. It is 2018. We have self-driving cars, do-ityourself DNA tests, and Google Glasses. Technology is evolving faster than ever before. Every year we are shocked by the up-and-coming products. Despite the speed at which technology is transforming, there has been minimal advancement made in feminine products. To put this in perspective, the modern-day tampon has not been updated in over 90 years. Thankfully, the future of periods is finally here. Women readers, here is what you have to look forward to. Your phone will tell you when to change your tampon. my.Flow has created a wearable prototype to warn you when it’s time to change your tampon. In order to use the product, you attach the string from your my.Flow tampon to the wearable bluetooth device. The app, in return, will inform you of what percent full you are at. You will track your fertility with an earbud. Basal body temperature is a widely known fertility awareness method. For years,
questions about their reproductive health.
a small Bluetooth attachment that allows
women have religiously charted their
Menstrual blood is collected into the tampon
the user to hook it up to any iOS or Android
temperatures immediately after waking, and
and then mailed to a laboratory, NextGen
devices. It claims to measure menstrual
any increase in temperature would signal
Jane, for analysis. These tampons could
fluid volume, menstrual fluid color, and your
ovulation. YONO earbud takes the work out
be used to detect early signs of cervical
menstruation cycle.
of it by tracking (and recording) the wearers
cancer, endometriosis, and even sexually
body temperature every five minutes! If you
transmitted diseases.
are hesitant, don’t be. YONO takes away any hesitation by promising a money back guarantee within 30 days of purchase.
Your menstrual cup will be smarter than your cell phone.
You’ll say goodbye to cramps. Livia is a tiny square device promising to eliminate even the worst menstrual cramps. You clip the device onto your pants and
Looncup aims to provide important
attach the gel flowers to your abdomen. The
A tampon may save your life.
information about your monthly cycle. The
device then sends light vibrations, which in
Currently, two Harvard disease specialists
Looncup is made of clear silicone, and sits
return eliminates cramps.
are using tampons to help women answer
at a lower position than a tampon. It has
T E C H N O LO G Y. P E R I O D. by H A N N A W I L L I A M S
MO- DEVICES B I L E ?????????????????? THE FUTURE BEAUTY FASHION FASHION BEAUTY CULTURE CULTURE
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?????????????????? ?????????????????? B Y 2 0 1 4 , there were officially more smartphones and tablets in the world than people. This growing proliferation of different devices and technologies has and still is completely transforming the marketing world and how marketers try and reach consumers. You most likely know what cookies are. Almost every website uses them to track users’ browser activity. But as the digital age advances, we’ve come to learn that cookies aren’t always as effective as firms would hope. With all the potential external factors disrupting the accuracy of the information, marketers can’t rely on that data alone, and many firms have turned to iBeacon.
You might’ve already known this, but basically, they’re always watching you. Maybe that’s not necessarily a bad thing. A large majority of people own mobile devices; they’re portable and a lot more
What on Earth…?
personal than a desktop PC that’s shared between multiple people in a household. That means a lot more emotional attachment is invested
Several companies—especially retail stores—are beginning to
into each individual device by its owner, translating into more specific
target sales and discounts based on the consumer’s proximity to the
information that marketers can use to tailor their promotions for a
store. Companies are doing this with Apple’s new technology called
more personalized brand experience.
iBeacon. Ever heard of it? You might’ve if you’re up-to-date with the tech, but it’s a very slim chance. Essentially, with this new technology, a consumer can be in a shopping center and receive different ads or popups on their mobile devices based on where they’re standing. For example, someone could be standing a few feet away from
Having a more personalized brand experience can help not only sell products, but understand what the consumer is really interested in and build sustainable customer loyalty. A lot more companies are taking this whole concept of consumer personalization to deeper levels of consideration. In fact, they kind of have to in order to survive
American Eagle Outfitters and receive an ad with a coupon code for
in this rapidly evolving digital world. The future of marketing is,
the store’s jeans they checked out on their website.
essentially, now.
M O B I L E D E V I C E S A R E... T H E F U T U R E? by S A M A N T H A B R U N O-T E L LO
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ook at the sky and try to imagine hundreds
of tiny robots performing a light show as magical as the Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks display. Thinking about that idea seems like some crazy futuristic situation that could only happen in a Disney sequel of Tomorrowland. However, the technology is actually right above our heads. Companies like Intel are using drone technology to put on magnificent light displays that seemed fictional just a few short years ago. From their limitless possibilities to their eco-friendly nature, drones are building up to be the future of entertainment.
Recently, Intel has been wowing the world with drone
billion color combinations to present endless images and figures in the sky.
These drone shows are not only spectacles of the future in terms of technology, but also in the field of eco-friendly electronics. Fireworks shows have captured audiences for thousands of years through light-colored mid-flight explosions. However, the beauty comes with a hefty price, both monetarily and environmentally. Large-scale fireworks presentations can cost millions of dollars for up to a half hour of entertainment, and it cannot be repeated. The shows also cause tremendous amounts of air pollution. Drones are a sustainable
shows all over, from the opening and closing ceremonies
alternative, causing no air pollution and can be reused
of the 2018 Winter Olympics to a light show over the
numerous times.
Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. They even performed a show at Coachella Music and Arts Festival last spring, taking on the desert itself. The drone shows can range from a hundred to over a thousand units lighting up the sky at once. The parcels are controlled by a single computer, making the performance all the more impressive. As far as specifications go, the drones are made of plastic and foam, making them lightweight and safe to use. Requiring only one light bulb, each unit can emit four
Over the next few years, drone technology will expand greatly from what it is today. At first glance, the idea of a thousand tiny robots dancing in the sky could seem rather overwhelming. However, to see a new artform emerge from a computer program is actually quite amazing. Drone shows could be the next big thing, filling the skies with virtual art and computer-choreographed dances worldwide.
D R O N E S I N A P P L I C AT I O N by E M I LY A LT I E R I
s Roadbots l n
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Pioneering computer scientist Alan Kay once
statues, the United States economy will be
self-driving vehicles, there are also many
said, “Technology is anything that wasn’t
put at a high risk of inequality in society. The
upsides about such improvement in
around when you were born.” Self-driving
general public is concerned about putting
technology. For instance, automated
vehicles are now starting to be available to
so much trust in technology rather than
vehicle technology will be life-saving. “In
the general public; It’s only a matter of time
humans, they’re “essentially betting on a
2012, there were 30,800 fatal car crashes,”
when it won’t be rare to see a self-driving car
broken system that could hinder economic
Safety Resource Center reports, “and these
in the streets. Society will be impacted in
growth.” If the world no longer needed
accidents lead to the deaths of 22,912
many ways because of self-driving vehicles;
drivers and replaced them with automated
drivers and passengers of vehicles. While
For example, human workers will be
vehicles, the following people would be
fatal car crashes impact families, they also
replaced because of automation. The Safety
unemployed, according to MakeUseOf.com:
have a toll in lost productivity. The idea is
Resource Center mentions how service
180,000 taxi drivers, 160,000 Uber drivers,
that if we can reduce car accidents, then we
drivers will be at risk, and there will also be
500,000 school bus drivers, and 160,000
can increase the utility of human work.”
lots of fear of technology’s impact on the
transit bus drivers.
economy. On the other hand, CNBC reports it will help law enforcement, automated vehicles will be life saving, and traffic efficiency will also be improved.
Although there are many cons about
Recently taxi drivers had a huge change
in their profession because of technologies
and companies like Lyft and Uber. Now with self-driving vehicles coming into massproduction, there is fear of a lot of change. For instance, employed drivers will end up losing their jobs because they won’t have to drive anymore. There is always a huge concern when replacing human workers with machine labor. The Safety Resource Center states, “There is a concern that technology will automate specific jobs and devastate some industries. This widespread substitution of human workers for machines will have longterm impacts on employment. The displacement of human labor will result in short-term inequality that will rip through our society.” Because self driving vehicles will change so many employment
R O A D B OT S by VA L E R I A B A I LO N
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OF “The other night I went on the worst Tinder date of my life.” I was
ALGORITHM
THE AGE
Shot on an iPhone
it’s easy to come to the conclusion that romance is dead, replaced
recapping my night to my best friend, partially horrified and partially
by casual hook-ups. Say goodbye to the ancient gesture of roses
amused. “He harassed the Uber driver there, hit on the girl next to me,
sweeping you off your feet; say hello to swipes and super-likes
then kept insisting that I meet his mom. I had to leave.” Exhausted,
blowing up your feed. Chivalry is dead and technology is very much alive.
I looked at my friend and asked her, “Why do we keep doing this to ourselves?” “What do you mean?” “Why do we keep online dating; putting our hearts on the line with absolute strangers from the internet?” She looked at me and simply replied, “I don’t want to stop going on Tinder dates because it gives me great Twitter content.” She shrugged. Sure, going on Tinder dates made for great stories, but I couldn’t believe that that was everyone’s purpose for using dating apps. I mean,
It made me wonder—in what other ways has technology has changed our expectations of love and sex? The clichéd consensus among older generations is that millennials regard relationships as easy to obtain, and easy to dispose of. But I don’t think that’s true. I just think that romance has upgraded and taken a new platform, leaving a few bugs and glitches for us to figure out. With the
world at our fingertips, how do we settle on one singular person? Can an algorithm determine what makes two people soulmates? Has technology desensitized our brains so that we can no longer experience love?
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O U R E X P E C TAT I O N S O F LO V E A N D S E X Technology has accelerated our lives in so many ways: the way we order food, clothes, cars, and communicate with friends and Poshmark, or Venmo? Technology has also accelerated the rate at which we meet someone and hop into bed with them as well. Dating apps have allowed for the normalization of hook-up culture as a pushback to the concepts and boundaries of traditional relationships. Studies have found that adults are settling down much later in life than previous generations. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s findings in 2017, the average age of marriage for women is around 28, and for men, around 30. This differs drastically from the 1920s, when both sexes were typically married by the age of 22. What’s
It’s my heart and I’ll break it how I want.
colleagues. Can you imagine a world without Uber, Postmates,
changed since then? Technology. Technology has offered us freedom in our own personal pursuits and careers, as well as the way that we made it possible for us to visualize the amount of potential partners there are. And if you live in New York City, you realize there are a lot of potential partners out there.
LO V E I N T H E A G E O F A LG O R I T H M Online dating has become a $3 billion industry. Wouldn’t it be nice to create the perfect person? Mix and match their physical and personality traits? While you can’t (yet) build your own soulmate, however, dating apps come pretty close. How does the dating app algorithm actually work? Well, there are
If my lashes fall off tonight, I’m suing Sephora.
perceive sex, love, commitment. Social media and dating apps have
two types of ways to collect data for match-making. All dating sites use individualistic data in order to form their matches. Bumble, Hinge, Tinder, Coffee Meets Bagel, Badoo, J-Date… the list goes on. This data is based on values, characteristics, religion—even mutual Facebook friends—all qualities and quantities that can be gathered and analyzed within a survey. The other form of data collection is called coupleanalyzes the way that two people interact, taking into consideration quality of banter, laughter, charisma, and rapport between two individuals. As you can imagine, it is nearly impossible for a computer to read the emotions and chemical reactions between two people who, for lack of a better term, “just click.” Deciding which apps to join is daunting enough, but then
I miss the parties, not him.
level data, which is much harder to quantify. Couple-level data
imagining the millions people on them is seriously stressful. Interestingly enough, scientists have discovered that more may not mean better, in this case. “The Paradox of Choice” theory states that humans can embrace around five to nine different choices before the brain goes into cognitive overload and leaves a person feeling overwhelmed and choice-less.
T H E A G E O F A LG O R I T H M by @L I Z D O N O H U E E
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S H O P P I N G F O R A D AT E Whether we like it or not, humans have created consumer models for everything, including love. When was the last time you stepped into
Ghosting- When one person cuts off all communication with the person they’re dating (e.g., ignoring phone calls, not replying to social media, and avoiding them in public)
a Forever 21? Doesn’t the plethora of rayon, spandex, and polyester
Breadcrumbing- When a person gives another just enough attention
make you feel anxious? How are you supposed to pick one singular
to keep their hope of a relationship alive
item to buy when there are thousands of affordable and functional
Catfishing- When one person pretends to be something or someone
items, just waiting to be discovered? The amount of times I have left Forever 21 feeling worse-off and empty-handed is almost equivalent to the amount of times I have opened—and closed—my dating apps out of sheer defeat. Society has branded within our brains the idea that dating is just like finding that perfect pair of jeans. Somewhere, there’s a hunk of denim built to hug your butt in all the right places, and the same goes for a significant other. You shouldn’t worry about whether you meet that significant other in line at a coffee shop, or online on Match.com.
that they are not (named after the MTV show Catfish starring America’s beloved Nev and Max)
P H Y S I C A L LY FA R, V I RT U A L LY N E A R Some believe that technology may make it easier for cheaters and those with wandering eyes to stray from their partners. I’d love to know how many relationships have broken up over an inappropriate DM or comment on a different person’s profile. However, I’m sure technology is responsible for tons of relationships staying together, especially long distance relationships. Decades ago, going long distance basically meant the end for a relationship. After all, how can a couple maintain a connection with miles and miles between them? Thankfully technology has eased the pain of being apart, and made it possible for couples to bear the distance. Sexting (if both parties consent and feel comfortable) can be a great way to spice up a
Half-Naked and Internet Famous
relationship, near or far. Emojis, long Facetimes, Skypes, and memes
D I G I TA L L A N G U A G E B A R R I E R In the age where a “like” is the equivalent of a wink, a comment, the equivalent of a compliment, and a meme, the equivalent of a note passed in class, the meaning behind these digital gestures can easily become skewed. “We hooked up once and we don’t speak anymore, but we Snapchat each other ‘good morning’ every day just to keep our 152-day streak going.” “I hate iPhone. I want a Samsung Galaxy, but I can’t stand when conversation bubbles are green and not blue… The girls I talk to will think I’m a freak.” In fact, my very first boyfriend and I started messaging back and forth after an extensive poke war on Facebook. The rest, as they say, is (browser) history. Oh, the good old days, when a poke said it all. Along with technology comes the birth of new etiquette and communication skills. Here’s list of terms to know (as interpreted by Urban Dictionary, of course):
sent back and forth can keep a relationship thriving. Virtual date nights are a great idea. Set a time, grab some popcorn, turn on the same Nicolas Cage movie on Netflix and, there you have it: the best date night ever, even if it is over Facetime.
W H E R E D O W E G O F R O M H E R E? The truth is, an algorithm can’t determine the spark between two individuals. The best algorithm is your own brain. An app can’t tell you who your soulmate is, but it can introduce you to people in your area, who, may very well be your soulmate. If you’re looking for a guy who likes eating Hot Pockets while watching The Office, then, one of these apps can most likely help you find him. My best advice for you is to think of these apps and sites as introductory tools to new people. I’m very aware that navigating the virtual world with your heart on your sleeve can seem scary, hopeless, and unnatural. However, sometimes reality and technology connect in very strange and amusing ways, which lead me to believe that romance and technology can coincide with each other. One rainy Friday afternoon, while sitting on the F train (probably thinking about Hot Pockets and The Office) I noticed the person across from me staring intently. I ignored him, until moments later, I looked down at my iPhone and received a message on Bumble that read, “Hey, this might be weird if I’m wrong, but, am I sitting across from you on the F train?”
I don’t want to stop going on Tinder dates because it gives me great Twitter content. T H E A G E O F A LG O R I T H M by @L I Z D O N O H U E E
HOW
OVERTOOK THE TV BIZ By Kirsten Lutley Creative Director Rachel Teperman Photography by Tarishi Gupta Makeup by Nayaab Yousaf Stylist Daniela Garza Modeled by Sarika Persaud
Abigail Ohene-Kyei Sophia Scinto Dias Amenov Jaya Madray
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If you ask anyone about streaming, chances are visions of a red
different genres. However, their success has lead to imitation by its
screen with white letters pops into their mind, alluding to one
competitors. Hulu and Amazon Prime are its main rivals, struggling
digital site: Netflix. According to Forbes, Netflix has 128 million
to compete with Netflix’s widespread popularity. More obscure and
members worldwide. In America, there’s about 50.8 million Netflix
specific streaming services like YouTube Red offer content that’s only
users in comparison to cable TV, which only garners about 48.6
made by that specific production company or channel, so the chance
million. However, Netflix says those numbers aren’t even close to the
of you paying money for a membership is slim. This kind of streaming
actual number of streamers using the site. So what makes Netflix
only serves a niche market, thus hiking up the prices.
such a big deal? Financially, it’s a lot less expensive than cable television service, and more important, it’s aligned with how we like to watch TV. There are no wait times to marathon your favorite show, no week-long cliffhangers waiting for the next episode, and no advertisement breaks every seven minutes causing an interruption. However, it’s not just the binge-ability of shows that makes Netflix
The streaming marketplace is oversaturated with options, forcing many people to have multiple subscriptions, sometimes on top of a cable TV package. Now that companies are starting to understand how profitable the industry is, they’re creating their own streaming platforms and removing the middleman. Disney is the latest contender, planning to launch its own service in the coming year.
so great—it’s the original and exclusive content. The best example
When you consider that Disney owns ABC, Pixar, Marvel, 21st Century
of this is the hit show Stranger Things, which took the small screen
Fox (which is Fox Broadcasting, FX, and National Geographic), this
by storm with its debut in 2016. The show’s nostalgia factor, lovable
could pose the biggest threat to competitors and consumers alike.
characters, intense storyline, and addictive nature made it one of
The sheer amount of content Disney has under its belt gives the
the most streamed shows of 2017, with over 15 million viewers
company a great amount of power, which could eventually lead to a
within the first few days of its second season release. Compared
hike in prices.
to television classics, this number could seem rather small for its worldwide audience. For example, the 1983 series finale of M*A*S*H, garnered 105.9 million viewers nationwide. However, the system for entertainment was completely different back then compared to what it is now. In 1983, with only three major TV networks, there was considerably less content available for consumption than that of today. The fans of the hit show prove that even with the tremendous amount of content available, watching Eleven defeat the monsters of the Upside Down is really what they want to see. Prior to Stranger Things, Netflix originals started popping up in 2013, with House of Cards, Hemlock Grove, and Orange Is the New Black. House of Cards and Orange Is the New Black proved to be fan favorites that garnered a high demand for multiple seasons. However, when these originals were first released, people were skeptical of Netflix’s new venture. Where was the company going to get the money to do this? Would these shows be any good? How would the shows be available to watch? Little did we know these Netflix Originals would prove to be a huge success, leading to imitators across all other streaming platforms. Today, there are 126 Netflix original series and films, more than any other single American network. At this point, we can all agree that Netflix has become the golden child of streaming, with thousands of options available in all
In regard to the negatives of streaming, the cons go beyond television and take a turn into the music industry. Artists like Taylor Swift took major issue with the lack of pay for artists, removing their music from most if not all streaming services. The rise of streaming has hurt record sales, forcing musicians to hike up prices on their merch and concert tickets. In 2016 alone, the average price of a concert ticket was $74.25, and it only seems to be going up. However, there are positives to streaming your favorite songs. Consumers have access to more music, allowing underground artists without a label to rise to popularity. Take Brockhampton, for example, who released three albums in 2017 and went from an unknown artist to selling out a nationwide tour within a couple years. They did so without the help of a record company, relying purely on team effort and people talking about them online. Streaming has the ability for artists from all over to be self-starters and build their own following. Overall, streaming allows everything to be more accessible, from underground music to indie films and documentaries. Just think of all the things you’ve been exposed to through Netflix or Spotify that you wouldn’t have seen otherwise. As everything in our world becomes more connected, it only makes sense that eventually our media would too. The future of streaming has endless possibilities, and right now we are only experiencing the beginning of it all.
H O W S T R E A M I N G O V E RT O O K T H E T V B I Z
Gia Orange Jacket H&M Tan Suede Jacket Briggs Tan Pinstripe Pants Forever 21
White Collared Sweater Crop Top Forever 21 White Cropped Lettuce Hem Top Forever 21 Orange Plaid Pants I Am
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— I’m scared that I’m not myself in here and I’m scared that I am.
H O W S T R E A M I N G O V E RT O O K T H E T V B I Z
White Collared Sweater Crop Sweater Top Forever Crop Top 21Forever 21 Ivory Faux Fur Ivory Cropped Faux Fur Jacket Cropped BDGJacket BDG Beige Slacks Beige Barneys Slacks New Barneys York New York Tan Suede Jacket Tan Suede Briggs Jacket Briggs Tan Pinstripe Tan Pants Pinstripe Forever Pants 21 Forever 21
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Red Jeans Wrangler
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Fur Cuffed Denim Jacket Vintage FurStephen’s Cuffed Denim Jacket Vintage Ste Black Sweater w/ Multicolored Stripes Black Free Sweater People w/ Multicolored Stripes
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Brown Pants Vertigo
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ephen’s Free People
Fur Cuffed Denim Jacket Vintage Stephen’s Navy w/ Beige Stripes Collared Top Vintage Flared Jeans Love Culture
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— Friends don’t lie.
s
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White/Blue Pinstripe Men’s Top Calvin Klein Black Ruffled Waistband Pants Darling Black Tank Top Brandy Melville
Silver Top Jeri Marque Gray Plaid Pants Talbots Tie Calvin Klein Black Mesh Turtleneck Top Forever 21 Men’s Suit Jacket Balenciaga Men’s Pants Dias Amenov
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— Am I really the sort of enemy you want to make?
H O W S T R E A M I N G O V E RT O O K T H E T V B I Z
Gray Slacks w/ Circle Cutouts Gray Slacks Marithé w/+ Circle François Cutouts Girbaud Marithé + François Girbaud Black Velvet Collared Button Black Down Velvet Top Collared BetseyButton Johnson Down Top Betsey Johnson Black Velvet Blazer Vintage Black H&M Velvet Blazer Vintage H&M Black Velvet Slacks Georges BlackRech Velvet Slacks Georges Rech
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