Larissa Freibert (2025)

2 Fatamorgana explores the “failures” of digitalization, whose effects harm human well-being—even though, in some cases, they might have the potential to improve it or at least promise to do so. Why do economic growth and profit take precedence over the well-being of tech users? We spend too much time on our phones and laptops, fully aware that it negatively impacts us both mentally and physically. We work and produce more and more, despite increasing efficiency, and we shift our social interactions and spheres of influence to online networks—where communication is filtered, lacking facial expressions and gestures, detached from reality. With references to Hartmut Rosa's Resonance Theory and Paul Virilio's “Rasender Stillstand”, mixed with contemporary internet slang like “chronically online”, Larissa uses this video installation to communicate and critique such obvious imbalances. Originally conceived as a poster series, the statements appear in front of personal, analog photographs—all of which document moments that were not captured in the digital space or with digital tools.

The sentences appear as if they were being typed, with a brief pause between the first and second part. In most cases, the first part expresses a genuine human need, followed by an inferior tech-associated solution or even a sabotage of that need. In the broadest sense, these could be seen as rebounds. The animation of the images collapsing or dissolving is the inspiration behind the title Fatamorgana. It represents the feeling of clearly recognizing all these issues yet being unable to truly grasp or solve them.

3 ThxGPT – the sticker marks all research and work that has been created with the help of ChatGPT. It’s 2024, and over the past few months, ChatGPT has found its way into my daily life—thanks to a trip to the other side of the world. I ask about local customs, translations, possible travel routes, or must-see places. I ask GPT if it can rap, and it can—though not very well. AI and generative tools are everywhere. Some people fear being replaced by them, but wasn’t that the goal all along? Maybe one day we won’t have to work at all—handing off all unpleasant jobs to robots and focusing only on the beautiful and creative aspects of life. Artificial intelligence will almost certainly become a fixed part of our world, maybe even something like real companions. Sometimes it already feels that way—or am I the only one who, fully aware that GPT is just a stochastic program, still says “please” and “thank you”?

4 Give in to brainrot The term “brainrot” originates from the internet and is used ironically by users on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitch to describe how consuming low-quality digital content leads to cognitive and psychological decay. The feeling of “brainfog” and a constant decline in the ability to focus for longer periods is attributed to the excessive consumption of short, highly addictive video clips. At the peak of this phenomenon are videos where AI-generated voices read stories or texts from forums like Reddit, often related to meaningless Minecraft or “satisfying” videos. The simultaneous double stimulation of two independent media content types symbolizes this conditioning to visual stimuli. Websites like www.PDF-toBrainrot.org promote the idea of converting complex ideas or texts into "snackable bits" that primarily appeal to younger audiences. The “give in to brainrot” videos summarize books or essays in no more than 40 seconds, which have accompanied Larissas semester and her engagement with digitalization. Converted into snackable bits, they provide the background content for her work, presented in an easily understandable and brief format. Clip 1: ‘AI and Real Life’ by Christian Uhle in 32 seconds. The book explores how artificial intelligence reshapes our understanding of humanity, life, and society. Clip 2: ‘The Burnout Society’ by Byang-Chul Han in 32 seconds. The book critiques the modern era's obsession with productivity and self-optimization, driven by digital technologies and neoliberal ideologies. Clip 3: ‘Acceleration’ by Hartmut Rosa in 37 seconds. The book explores how digitalization, while designed to make processes more efficient and free up time, paradoxically leads to an increased workload and constant time pressure. Clip 4: ‘The Art of the Motor’ by Paul Virilio in 23 seconds. The book explores the paradox of technological acceleration: while enabeling constant virtual movement, it leaves people physically immobile.

5 Exhaustion—Excitement Every new development brings new opportunities, every new promise sparks curiosity and brings futuristic scenarios within reach. The next new iPhone, the development of ever smaller, more portable devices, and the first Virtual Reality devices for home use. However, recent developments show that more and more devices and new technological possibilities are steadily tiring their users. So, excitement is always followed by exhaustion, and after that exhaustion, the next excitement comes... and so on.

6 Hard Truth–No cap The hard truth is: Issues of the common good often take a backseat to the interests of a few. The well-known efficiency paradox is often accepted in favor of economic growth, and this is just an uncomfortable truth. Why is it so rarely questioned whether something should be done—just because it is possible? How much digitalization is truly sensible? Wouldn't it be time to define a clear goal and think about how we can use technology in a way that benefits everyone? The “Hard Truth” baseball bat is for all those who, in a figurative sense, could use a wake-up call—to finally face the crucial developments of our world with honesty.

All works in an exhibition at the Faculty of Design in February 2025