SESAME CREDIT
The Chinese social credit system, called Sesame Credit, will become mandatory for all Chinese citizens by 2020. It gives each citizen a score based on criteria such as what they purchase and who they socialize with. This score determines various aspects of that citizen’s public life, like whether they can take out a loan, where they can send their children to school, and even whether they can take public transport.
How does your exhibition relate to the Chinese social credit system?
Denman: ‘I want to bring awareness to the Chinese social credit system and as such all the installations attempt to convey some aspect of this system. For instance, one installation displays a smart tattoo that seeks to make life more convenient for the user through its connectivity - for example by connecting to your bank account and electronic identification which can be used to fast-track you through border control. The intention here is to frame an intrusive product as completely beneficial, to bring light to the many benefits an integrated system like Sesame Credit would entail.
I will also project a live recording of the exhibition in which people within the room are identified via an object recognition program. This is meant to give visitors a feeling of being watched, as well as conveying the ease at which algorithms can identify people. Furthermore, I will display a flocking program that can switch between a usual flocking algorithm and a score-based algorithm holding the overall theme of social interaction. I intend for the flocking program to prompt onlookers to think about the changes in interaction and friendships that would occur if such a credit system were implemented. Finally, monologues of fictional people living within the system display three different standpoints: a father educating his child on the importance of a high score, a woman blaming the system for her current standing, and an individual who works for Sesame Credit.’
What sparked your interest in this topic?
‘It was the massive scale of the credit system. The little tech fanboy in me gleamed at the idea of digitising an entire country’s credit system. It’s like they were turning life into a video game, complete with rewards for levelling up and punishments for failing.’
What is your personal opinion on China’s social credit system?
‘It solves a problem. Half of the citizens in China don’t have sufficient financial records to be able to access loans, and this system will clear that up. Also, an undeniably large portion of China’s financial system is corrupt, which Sesame Credit could fix to an extent.
However, the drawbacks are clear. It is obvious that it will enable further control over the Chinese citizens, pushing them to be the ideal citizen. It will also limit the freedom of those who wish to do anything unaccepted by the Chinese government. Ultimately, it is a Chinese system and as such it will enforce Chinese laws and values, but just because this differs from western values does not mean that the system should be criticised.
Of course the system has dangers and potential for abuse as well, but it also has the potential for good, and if implemented carefully the dangers can be mitigated. I see the social credit system as a positive step into the future. There will always be dangers with new systems but as with all technology, the more time and effort we put into its development the safer it will become.
We will also host a debate tonight. During the debate I intend to cover what an implementation of such a system within the Netherlands would be like and whether it is feasible or not. It is quite easy to shun Sesame Credit as a frightening development, however by doing this you reject all the potential for good Sesame Credit has to offer. I will attempt to prompt people to look at both sides, and it is my hope that people will be expand their thinking after joining the exhibit and debate.’
