The world is facing an imminent crisis—potentially an apocalypse. This study contrasts two seemingly disparate sites: the Poospatuck Reservation in New York and an Amazon Distribution Center. Despite their differences, both sites reveal similar cyclical patterns of colonization when examined on a cosmic timescale.
The “Flux Navigator,” a conceptual time machine, analyzes these cycles through four thematic rings. The first ring delineates cycles of “Colonization” and “Flow of Goods,” highlighting how these processes unfold over time. The second ring focuses on architectural devices that facilitate these cycles. The third ring examines the resultant events from these devices, while the fourth provides interactive data accessible via QR codes.
The Poospatuck Reservation, a site of ongoing post-apocalyptic survival, illustrates a colonization cycle that began with English settlers around 1650. The analysis reveals patterns of asymmetric exchange, leading to economic disadvantage for the Amerindians, continued poverty, and inadequate infrastructure. Additionally, the impact on bodily scale includes significant health disparities caused by disease and cultural shifts.
In contrast, Amazon embodies modern digital colonization. The analysis shows how e-commerce practices drive environmental degradation, accumulate financial power and data, and expand logistical networks, exacerbating both environmental damage and labor issues.