The Bang Theory: The Breaking and (sort of) Fixing of Everyday Objects

This paper aims to discuss how faulty, ill-designed and semi-broken objects might be analyzed as to their potential to stimulate the development of new, personal and unique ways to interact with technology. By exposing the inner workings behind interfaces of common artifacts, a malfunction might allow the exploration of individualized, performative responses and interactions from individuals. The starting point was the creation of a small series of faulty electronic devices by slightly modifying iconic household items. These objects were then presented to unknowing subjects in order to observe each individual’s responses and reactions. Taking these small experiments as a base, the paper goes on to discuss the relevance of such observations in a society increasingly dominated by and dependent of invisible, ubiquitous technology.