Since 1998, and on paper since 1989 (Stemwijzer 2008), general elections in the Netherlands have spawned a variety of so called voting recommendation machines. These systems typically ask the user to answer some questions after which they offer the user a voting recommendation, based on the compatibility between his or her answers and the political parties. The questions are either based on the political party’s programs (Kieskompas 2008), or on its actual voting behavior in Parliament over the past few years (Politix 2008).

Since the birth of online social networking sites lots of people have, quite unconsciously, put their likes and dislikes on public display. They not only show with whom they affiliate, but also what kind of music, movies, food, or even brands they prefer.

We have developed a post-demographic recommendation tool derived from digital life software systems, while at the same time addressing them - based on the aggregated profiles of pals of political party leaders as they appear on the biggest Dutch online social network, Hyves. By providing appropriate visualizations we show both the demographics and the relations of a group of pals, and replicate the existing, arguably anti-participatory democratic, voting recommendation machines. Ultimately the goal is to raise awareness of one’s digital public self - one’s data body (Well.com 1995) - to create conscience of simple yet powerful profiling techniques, and the tools of the surveillance and control society. (Bogard 1996, Deleuze 1992). We intentionally chose to highlight the entertaining quality and lightness of peer-based behavior this society is so immersed in. In addition, this paper introduces and explains the term post-demographics (first coined by Richard Rogers in August 2007) in the context of control society.
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“De Big Brother Award 2007 in de categorie Personen is toegekend aan U. De Nederlandse burger is volgens de jury namelijk de grootste bedreiging voor de privacy. Door een onverschillige houding - ‘Ik heb toch niks te verbergen’ - en desinteresse in wie er allemaal met zijn persoonsgegevens aan de haal gaat, is de burger zelf mede verantwoordelijk voor het verdwijnen van privacy in Nederland. Waar Time vorig jaar ‘You’ nog lof toezwaaide als persoon van het jaar, waarschuwt de BBA-jury met deze prijs U voor het gemak waarmee U de vergaande inbreuken op de privacy voor lief neemt.”

Damn right You won the big brother award.

The Dutch Electronic Art Festival (DEAF) is an international and interdisciplinary biennial that focuses on art, technology and society and is organized by V2_, Institute for the Unstable Media, in Rotterdam. program

DEAF presents a wide range of programme segments, including, of course, a large exhibition of interactive artworks and installations. There will also be concerts, performances, seminars, workshops and an academic symposium. The festival is characterized by a thematic approach. Its aim is to bring current developments and themes around art in our technological culture to a diverse audience.

DEAF is one of the most important international festivals focusing on art and media technology, and it can be regarded as a showcase for research for and production of new media art (some specially commissioned).

This festival in Rotterdam is the ideal place for representatives of various networks to meet and inspire each other, and for international critical debate to take place.

Interact or Die! (DEAF07’s Theme)
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