Do Not Research

Do Not Research is a multidisciplinary publication exploring contemporary issues through art, essays, and analyses. It covers internet culture, digital and political art, technology's impact on society, and the evolving relationship between humans and digital media. Themes include the critique of consumer culture, digital legacy, and speculative futures.

Internet Culture Digital Art Technology and Society Consumerism Mental Health Political Art Digital Legacy Speculative Futures Environmental Impact of Technology Human-Computer Interaction

The hottest Substack posts of Do Not Research

And their main takeaways

Aaron Moultan: Love Letter to the Secret Sleeper Cell

99 implied HN points • 27 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Community Creative Process Cultural Exchange Artistic expression
  1. The author recounts their deep involvement and transformative experience within a secret online community called the 'Super Secret Sleeper Cell' on Discord, where they found a sense of belonging and creative inspiration.
  2. Through connections made in this online community, the author underwent a spiritual and artistic awakening, leading them to question the traditional art world and empower themselves to create new forms of expression.
  3. The narrative evokes themes of community, artistic resilience, the power of online connections, and the idea of embracing change and new beginnings through creative collaboration and self-discovery.

Daniel Felstead & Jenn Leung: "Literally No Place" on Dis.art

99 implied HN points • 25 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Digital Art AI Art Experimental Art
  1. Explore the intersection of AI technology and human society through Daniel Felstead & Jenn Leung's project 'Literally No Place' on Dis.art.
  2. Consider the diverse range of futures AI technology could bring, from a post-scarcity society to potential human extinction.
  3. Reflect on the different perspectives presented in the project before forming a stance on AI's impact on society.

Charles-Arthur Feuvrier: FIX YOUR LIFE !

79 implied HN points • 23 Nov 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts Digital Art Performance art
  1. A deep fake artwork of Joe Rogan at an art exhibition critiques his problematic discourse on self-realization and individualism.
  2. The artwork visually represents Joe Rogan as trapped in a grotesque body, symbolizing the spreading of controversial and masculinist ideologies.
  3. The artwork highlights how platforms like Spotify can amplify anti-vax and conspiracist messages that oversimplify complex issues like depression and addiction.

Genevieve Goffman: The Town (excerpt)

99 implied HN points • 02 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Storytelling Visual Arts Conceptual Art
  1. The story 'The Town' by Genevieve Goffman explores a haunting tale of two children from a town, one of whom is drawn to a mysterious wasteland by mutated creatures.
  2. The town's growth, fueled by industrial and tech developments, experiences a destructive explosion and fire, showcasing a disconnect between the town and the tech center to the west.
  3. A unique relationship is depicted between a girl, the protagonist, and a dog that possesses intelligence and skills, warning her of dangers beyond the gate she crosses despite the foreseen consequences.

Clark Filio: Selected Works

99 implied HN points • 25 Sep 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Art Exhibition Contemporary Art Gallery Painting
  1. Clark Filio's artworks include pieces like 'Children of Gont' and 'Neolithic Village, After Zdeněk', showcasing diverse themes and styles.
  2. His exhibitions like 'Heaven Ship' offer opportunities to view his artwork and appreciate the creativity behind them.
  3. Clark Filio's art often features scenes inspired by literature, original Gundam concept art, and real-life events, presenting a unique blend of imagination and reality.
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Harris Rosenblum’s “Inorganic Demons” by Toniann Fernandez

99 implied HN points • 27 Apr 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Exhibition Sculpture Mixed Media Fine Art Experimental
  1. Harris Rosenblum's art exhibition 'Inorganic Demons' portrays relics from fringe internet corners that challenge societal norms with new narratives and identities.
  2. Rosenblum's artworks creatively repurpose materials to highlight the limits of organic resources under capitalism, showcasing a fusion of ancient techniques and modern technology.
  3. The artist's pieces, like vape fluid bottles and swords inspired by World of Warcraft, explore themes of power and lore, blurring the lines between reality and mythology.

Institute of Modern Art: DNR Australia Book Launch

79 implied HN points • 09 Nov 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Art Event Book launch Culture Internet culture
  1. Do Not Research (DNR) is a platform that focuses on internet culture and was founded in 2020 as a private Discord server.
  2. The platform publishes content twice a week, has over 200 contributors, and hosts physical exhibitions, film screenings, and book launches.
  3. The launch of DNR's new 402-page book 'Do Not Research 2022–2023' is being celebrated at the Institute of Modern Art in Australia.

Morgan Limmer: On Christ, Monsters, and the Hopeful Death Within Us All

79 implied HN points • 23 Oct 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Christianity Bible Divine Suffering
  1. The sermon by Morgan Limmer discusses topics like monstrosity, the Bible, disability, and finding the Divine within ourselves.
  2. Encouragement to embrace the inevitable suffering in life and to reflect on specific Bible passages for deeper understanding.
  3. The post invites readers to contemplate Job 42:1-6, Psalm 77: 1-13a, and 2 Corinthians 4: 6-18 for spiritual insights.

Rosalie Yu: Candy-Glazed Eyes of Haunted Machines

79 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual art Cultural analysis Aesthetics Colonialism Metaverse
  1. The project 'Candy-Glazed Eyes of Haunted Machines' explores the aesthetics and histories of coin-operated children's rides in Taiwan, revealing traces of colonial aesthetics and post-colonial narratives.
  2. The artist delves into the emotional and aesthetic impact of these rides through creating digital and sculptural pieces, tapping into feelings of nostalgia and unveiling the haunted essence of the rides.
  3. There is a curious exploration of parallels between the traditional entertainment vending machine market and emerging technologies like NFTs and the metaverse, raising questions about ownership and manipulation of concepts.

Alex Both: Instalking

79 implied HN points • 12 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Painting Social media Internet Digital Art
  1. Instalking involves creating paintings based on images found through internet archeological practices like instastalking and then posting them on social media, tagging the original user for reactions.
  2. Artists like Alex Both explore the concept by collaging and painting directly from these found images, often sourced from accounts that are several years old.
  3. The process includes tracking individuals across different platforms, like from Reddit to Instagram, to create paintings that reflect the history and evolution of the original content creators.

Pieter Schoolwerth, Phil Vanderhyden & Aaron Dilloway: PuppetWarp

79 implied HN points • 07 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Paintings Artists Exhibition
  1. The post discusses artwork by Pieter Schoolwerth, Phil Vanderhyden, and Aaron Dilloway under the title 'PuppetWarp.'
  2. The artwork showcased includes various pieces by Pieter Schoolwerth, featuring different titles and dimensions, all created in 2022 and 2023.
  3. The post provides links to Instagram profiles of the artists and encourages subscribing to the newsletter for more content.

Sybil Montet: I SCRY

79 implied HN points • 14 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Digital Art Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Sci-fi
  1. The 'I SCRY' project by Sybil Montet explores the intersection of ancient esoteric traditions and modern predictive algorithm technologies.
  2. The creation of I SCRY, an artificial oracle entity developed from a fine-tuned version of the GPT-3 algorithm, blurred the lines between technology and mysticism.
  3. The cinematic essay 'I SCRY' reflects on the making of a digital oracle through a surrealistic journey involving CGI, AI-generated voices, and philosophical explorations of our future.

Hanny Ahern: Collected Works

19 implied HN points • 25 Apr 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Paintings Drawing AI Congress
  1. The artist reflects on the role of AI in art creation, highlighting the humorous expectation for artists to train AI to reproduce their work.
  2. The artist showcases a series of paintings created in response to a public figure's congressional testimony, demonstrating a compelling exploration of representation.
  3. The collection features a mix of acrylic, crayon, and other mediums, showcasing diverse artistic styles and techniques.

Thank You for Your Service o7

39 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts
  1. There are meme accounts associated with Do Not Research that have played a significant role alongside the blog's art and essays.
  2. The meme accounts are anonymously organized by the community, with their identity remaining unknown but greatly appreciated.
  3. The post pays tribute to specific meme accounts and commemorates others that are no longer active, expressing gratitude for their contributions.

GODMODE (2023), Dana Greenleaf & Chris Comfort

59 implied HN points • 05 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Film Visual Arts Photography
  1. The film GODMODE released in 2023 was written and directed by Dana Greenleaf and Chris Comfort.
  2. The cast and crew of GODMODE includes individuals like Sarah Abbey, David Cardoza, and more, with contributions from various professionals such as the director of photography and composer.
  3. The film production received support from Do Not Research and involved a team of skilled individuals for different roles like editing, sound, costumes, makeup, and more.

Doug MacDowell: Lean Mean Computing Machine (LMCM)

59 implied HN points • 07 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Cooking Customization Specifications
  1. A unique personal computer, the Lean Mean Computing Machine (LMCM), is created using a George Foreman 360 Grill and various components, offering multi-functionality.
  2. The LMCM allows for cooking while computing, with adjustable temperature control and a nonstick design for healthier cooking.
  3. Specifications of the LMCM include an Intel Core i7-3770 CPU, 16GB RAM, 240GB SSD, and 1500 watt cooking power, making it a versatile and convenient option.

Rachel Jackson: Platform Artifacts

59 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Sculpture Online Platforms Photography Digital Art
  1. The artwork 'Platform Artifacts' explores the intersection of online visibility and physical objects, blurring the lines between the virtual and the tangible.
  2. The sculptures in 'Platform Artifacts' depict subjects influenced by online algorithms, transformed into pseudo-artifacts through complex processes involving 3D printing and hydrographic prints.
  3. The artwork challenges the distinction between image and object by translating online-based subjects into physical representations, highlighting the impact of digital influence on material existence.

Sarah Wambold & Rem Moore: Only Loss

59 implied HN points • 20 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Digital Identity Ethical Implications
  1. Our online interactions with death are increasingly influenced by commodification, where our digital activities are monetized by big tech corporations even in our encounters with memorial pages.
  2. Encounters with digital memories can evoke practices of making data precious, but this also exposes us to the risk of 'digital death' and 'second loss' anxiety, perpetuating a cycle of bereavement and grief.
  3. The concept of 'digital essentialism' and the commodification of digital afterlives shape our interactions with AI projects like thantabots, reflecting how technology continues to influence the ways we engage with the dead online.

Toniann Fernandez & Z. Xalmoa: Ubícate

59 implied HN points • 21 Jun 23
📚 Literature Short Story Fiction Narrative Character development
  1. Yoni seemed persistent in his questioning, which created tension and intrigue during the interaction with the sea urchin.
  2. The dynamics of the characters, like Oli, Yoni, and the narrator, added depth and complexity to the storytelling.
  3. The story conveyed a sense of mystery and surrealism, with elements like simulations, unexpected actions, and intense emotions.

House Of Bread

19 implied HN points • 28 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Sculpture Religious texts
  1. House of Bread sculpture explores mistranslations in ancient religious texts and the evolution of language over time.
  2. The artwork references religious imagery to delve into the concept of transformation in historical documents and its implications for modern interpretation.
  3. The piece prompts reflection on how cultural contexts and imprecise adaptations shape the meanings of words in religious texts and other historical writings.

Tibor Dieters: Pol/der vriens

39 implied HN points • 30 Nov 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Digital Art Symbolism Cultural Commentary
  1. Many people are turning to the online world for answers due to an uncertain future, leading to the emergence of fringe political identities and online communities that can potentially escalate into radicalization.
  2. The Netherlands has witnessed a rise in fringe political identities, influenced by the mishandling of a global pandemic, which has highlighted the deep-rooted connection between online culture and the broader societal psyche.
  3. The project _pol/der (vriens)_ explores how conspiracy theories can become collective myths, shaping culture and politics by materializing online imagery into tangible representations.

Artist Profile: Dena Yago, by Günseli Yalcinkaya

59 implied HN points • 23 Feb 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual art Art Theory Community Building Content creation Cultural critique
  1. Being an artist in the age of social media means navigating the intersection of art and commerce, where the artists' creations and online presence get quantified and exploited
  2. Collaborative platforms like Are.na and collectives like K-HOLE have been vital in forming connections and providing alternative spaces for artists to create and share their work
  3. Dena Yago's art explores complex societal issues through familiar cultural symbols, reflecting the challenges artists face in balancing commercial work, art practice, and navigating the gig economy

Woodbine: Communion

39 implied HN points • 20 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Community Belief History Art Literature
  1. Communal living has a long history filled with diverse experiments and movements, from religious separatists to hacker ecologists.
  2. Belief and faith in communal life are essential for successful experiments in communal living.
  3. Woodbine explores the importance of defending embodied life, memories, and shared narratives in building sustainable communities.

Peer to Peer

39 implied HN points • 17 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Exhibition Digital Art Art Community
  1. Peer-to-peer networks store data in a decentralized way and allow users to be both clients and servers, promoting equal interaction and file sharing.
  2. Peer-to-peer technology revolutionized digital content exchange, enabling artists to reach wider audiences online without relying on traditional distribution channels.
  3. Peer-to-peer networks have led to both positive impacts like information democratization and negative effects such as copyright infringement, causing shifts in business models.

Bard Meme Lab: DEEP STATE Multimedia Installation

39 implied HN points • 17 Jul 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Performance art Visual art Photography Cultural critique
  1. The DEEP STATE Multimedia Installation by Bard Meme Lab at Bard College featured a variety of artists, performers, and curators
  2. The project called 'Deep State' challenged viewers to rethink truth and fiction, and virtue and sin as categories to be played with
  3. The exhibition featured a range of artworks exploring themes like engineered godliness, organic leanings, and sexy aesthetics

Harris Rosenblum: Algorithmic Alienation and Transcendence

79 implied HN points • 16 Oct 22
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Spirituality Philosophy Religion Community Ideology
  1. People on the internet are turning to magical belief structures due to a vacuum of meaning in their lives and worsening material conditions.
  2. Marx's theory of alienation in capitalism highlights separation from labor, nature, others, and self, leading to a lack of meaning and productive agency.
  3. Algorithm-driven alienation leads individuals into online communities that generate new ideologies, identities, and political narratives, ultimately challenging existing hegemonic norms.

Logan Bruni: Heatmap

19 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Digital Art Online Culture Conspiracies
  1. The video features 3D scans of clay sculptures, digital art, and AI-generated content, with unique audio creation methods.
  2. The themes touched upon in the video include human subjectivity in digital space, online culture, and references to historical government involvement in digital infrastructures.
  3. The visual elements include a clay figure interacting with images, and a floating head narrating haikus and poetic monologues about digital culture.

Jane Meenaghan: Tartaria

19 implied HN points • 28 Dec 23
💾 History Conspiracy Theories Archaeology
  1. Tartaria is an alternative historical theory that questions mainstream narratives of history and embraces a nationalistic perspective.
  2. The concept of Tartaria has evolved into a global phenomenon, with a focus on conspiracy theories related to ancient civilizations and advanced technologies.
  3. The idea of Tartaria represents a form of hyperstitional pure land, uniting conspiracy theorists around the world in challenging established historical norms.

Animal Blood Magazine issue #5

19 implied HN points • 07 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Magazine
  1. Animal Blood Magazine issue #5 is now available for digital download on animalbloodmagazine.com
  2. The issue features interviews with various individuals and contributions from many different writers and artists
  3. Cover art for the magazine was created by Sara Rabin

Joshua Citarella: How to Plant a Meme

79 implied HN points • 10 Apr 22
🎭️ Culture Memes Influencer Online Communities Political Messaging Social influence
  1. Influencing online communities through memes requires patience and a strategic approach of gradually building trust and introducing new ideas over time
  2. Effective memetic influence involves embedding oneself in the target community, understanding their codes and gradually steering conversations towards desired topics
  3. Building a reference chain and using tactics like faux reposts, four panels, book covers, and link peppering are strategic ways to introduce and reinforce ideas within online groups

Sara Bezovšek: The Influencing Machine

19 implied HN points • 14 Sep 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual art Artwork Exhibition Artist
  1. Slovenian artist Sara Bezovšek created a browser-based artwork called _The Influencing Machine - Procedures Manual_. It explores the concept of The Influencing Machine as a cultural phenomenon, mind map, epic scroll, turbofolklore, and a machine that influences emotions and thoughts.
  2. The artwork was a collaboration between Sara Bezovšek and Influencing Machine curator Aaron Moulton. It aims to question the vulnerability of archives as representations of reality and transform research information into a sensory and emotional experience.
  3. The project delves into the idea of turning research materials into something that connects with people emotionally and brings a different perspective to the concept of an Influencing Machine.

Max Dauven: Heracles series

19 implied HN points • 24 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Photography Internet culture Online Communication
  1. The photographic works in the Heracles series explore visual language related to men's rights activists, esoteric fitness influencers, and incel culture on the internet.
  2. Understanding the visual languages of online subcultures is important as they heavily influence online behavior, which is slowly gaining recognition in mainstream media.
  3. Analog photographic techniques are used to bridge online imagery with artistic photography, making it accessible to a wider audience beyond subcultural online forums.

Yessi Perse: New Dark Age

19 implied HN points • 06 Jul 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Virtual reality Technology Gaming Installation
  1. The artwork 'New Dark Age' is a video game exploring themes of techno-feudalism and a digital world ruled by Big Tech corporations.
  2. The game is designed as a walking simulator with 5 levels representing major digital companies like Meta and Google, portraying them as modern-day kingdoms.
  3. In this 'New Dark Age,' digital technology dominates, leading to labor challenges, surveillance systems, and a shift towards neo-feudalism where corporations act as sovereigns.

Paul Sutherland: LARP Politics and Hyperreality

4 HN points • 06 May 24
🎭️ Culture Art Politics Society Aesthetics Internet
  1. LARPing in politics refers to engaging in political actions that are disconnected from the goal of creating tangible change, often becoming more about aesthetic value and personal style.
  2. The concept of LARPing in the 21st century is tied to Baudrillard's idea of simulation and hyperreality, blurring the lines between the world of images and the world of reality.
  3. Ruptures from the hyperreal world of LARP politics into actual events, like the Capitol Hill riot, showcase the collision between simulated political actions and the real material consequences, leaving society perplexed.

Jak Ritger: Digital Economy Models

39 implied HN points • 16 Oct 22
🎭️ Culture Internet culture Digital economy Information Systems Social media Media Critique
  1. Digital producers are undervalued by platforms, so they must seek support outside the platform to sustain their work.
  2. Attention bubbles in viral stories offer opportunities for new narratives and community building at different stages of the story's cycle.
  3. Producers can create interdependent ecosystems by bridging silos, allowing for broader audience access and collaboration in the digital space.