Process Journal

I think many people including myself are disturbed by the recent increase in political and social divide in the United States. I want to investigate what has caused this divide by focusing on the statistical differences between the two parties that make up a majority of the country; Republicans and Democrats.

Inspiration

I knew I wanted to do something in Data Visualization, but I think a lot of times data viz is accompanied by an essay or at least an underlying argument about the world. I cycled through a few ideas; lonliness, climate change, etc. No 1 topic really struck me. We've been doing this Data Art thing for a while now, so a lot of the data thats out there has already been visualized. So I decided that coming up with something new would require me to compare multiple datasets and create a hypothesis. I want to compare several data trends to make a conclusion about the world.

Hypothesis

Since the rise of the Technology & Information sectors in the United States, and the proclamation that 'data' is one of the worlds most valuable resources, low density municipalities have fallen to the wayside, and urban areas have become the primary economic, cultural, and educational centers. Specialization and the rise of white collar industries have created an 'ecosystem of expertise' where only those who can afford education are able to qualify for the best jobs. Education at all levels is judged by the institutions ability to filter as many students as possible into the few corporations that control these jobs.

Sources

Data

• Geographic Economic Inequality - U.S. Dept. Of Commerce, 2023.
• Median Household Income Represented Geographically - U.S. Census, 2024.
• The Cambridge Economic History of the U.S. - Engerman, Gallman, 2008.

Writing

• American Progressives and the Rise of Expertocracy - June 2006
• The Ecosystem of Expertise - Brand, Karvonen, 2017
• The Rise and Fall of American Growth - Robert Gordon, 2016.

Datavisualization Learning

• Data Visualization Tutorial

Project Steps (in broad strokes)

1. Collect resources relevant to hypothesis. Find strong datasets to compare through dataviz. Simultaneously learn how to make a dataviz with processing.
2. Write Paper / Make claims based on data.
3. Prepare Dataviz storyboards based on claims.
4. Learn techniques based on storyboards (likely using processing).
5. Test printing.
6. Design an exhibition that takes the viewer on a journey, presenting words and illustrating with data. OR: abstracting the data and create a visual work.
7. Install on Gov. Island.

Challenges

Scope is a major concern. This is a huge topic and I need to do more research to narrow things down. Maybe instead of a few datasets I can find one strong relationship to do some writing on.

Art vs. journalism. Professor Melody suggested that I shift my presentation from focusing on the research to abstracting the data. Make people wonder what this piece is about rather than trying to illuminate like typical journalism work.

Does this fit the class? I'm essentially doing a research project and Max MSP has fallen to the wayside. But I'm dying to talk about this subject because it's been on my mind.