From My Perspective

In a world where most interactions occur behind computer screens, people are increasingly inclined to immerse themselves in the finer details of human nature. Whether through online advice columns or a social network based on shared life experiences, we are using technology to connect with each other on a more emotional level. As such, simulation technology and apps that allow us to walk a digital mile in another’s shoes are becoming more common.

What Do You See?: Making silly faces may elicit giggles from a newborn, but how do infants perceive these displays of affection? Blixt & Dunder created an app, based on medical research on developmental moments in human vision, to demonstrate what a child sees the first few years of its life. To experience a kid’s POV, enter their birthday into the app and hit the camera activation button. This generates a filter that mimics their vision, taking age into account. At six months or less, the screen has a brown fuzzy layer, but becomes clearer every few months—not unlike a night of a few too many cocktails.

Baby Connection: Pregnancy media is typically targeted to women, so when faced with the challenge of reaching men, Belgian baby food company Nutricia decided on drastic measures: make them pregnant—or, at least feel like it. Stationed at local malls and boutiques, Nutricia encouraged male shoppers to strap on an “Empathy Suit” to learn what to expect when you’re expecting. The suit was equipped with a water pump to simulate water weight, air compressors to restrain movement and a random jolt to replicate the feeling of a baby kick. After participating, men were eager to download Baby Connection, a pregnancy documentation app for couples. Moreover, they gained a new sense of compassion.

Love is Not Abuse: For many teens, dating relationships ensue in the mobile world more often than in the physical one. But with so many emergent digital platforms, it has become challenging for parents to identify abusive dating behavior. Liz Claiborne, a leader in the fight against domestic violence, released Love is Not Abuse, an iPhone app that offers parents insight on digital relationship abuse. Through simulated text messages, calls and emails from a fictional ‘boyfriend’ or ‘girlfriend,’ LINA puts parents in the position of their teens and trains them to identify warning signs of abuse. On second thought, perhaps the audience for this app should be the teens themselves.