Human Dimensions



Of Digital models and, What will happen to humanity when the human brain will not be able to distinguish a living human from a physical, human-like entity, which is capable of communicating and at a human level?
[2021]



It was spring of 2017 when Cameron James Wilson, an American photographer, was sitting at home and realising he was no longer interested in taking pictures. He started creating three-dimensional characters using DAZ-3D. The character Wilson had generated soon became the first of its kind and the key representative of a broad phenomenon, capable of changing the human experience in an unprecedented way. 

In the beginning of the millenia, 3D modelling softwares such as Blender, CLO3D and DAZ-3D started offering advanced modelling tools to creators. Those weren’t the first softwares allowing 3D characters creation. However, they did offer new user experiences and never-seen-before features, consequently extending the use of 3D design in popular culture. Using better technologies, more intricate meshes and having a wider variety of movement settings for different materials, combined with an easier workflow for modelling have allowed Cameron James Wilson to create Shudu- the first digital supermodel in the world. 

Since its creation and up to this article being written, Shudu has appeared on the covers of the most famous fashion magazines: Vogue, Harper’s Bazar, WWD, and has taken part in many campaigns with leading companies and top-tier fashion brands, such as: Samsung, Ellesse, Balmain, Christian Louboutin and more. 
Shudu is undoubtedly an influential figure; it currently has 219K followers on instagram and, it has received an invitation to the 2019 BAFTA film awards red carpet. The phenomenon Wilson started with Shudu is gradually expanding. Since 2017, Shudu has been joined by more digital models. They are becoming more popular with time and they are acknowledged as influencers. Given that the digital influencers’ presence in commercial and cultural content is expected to grow, one might wonder about their actual potential impact on the human experience. 

I believe it to be a catalyst for more meaningful perceptions of humanity. 
Some consider digital influencers just another manifestation of human society using fictional entities for marketing and advertising purposes. Those might go as far as claiming that Shudu and her companions are no different than breakfast cereal mascots, designed to engage the consumers and appeal to the target audience. Be that as it may, this comparison is ignores the fact that these characters have never replaced models or influencers in significant campaigns. Moreover, Shudu’s swift break into high fashion and prestige culture is unprecedented. 

The dolls and characters who preceded Shudu have never reached a point of such strong stature as to replace humans in roles in high societies. Even though their success as a marketing tool is evident, they have never challenged the perception of the meaning of being human, nor have they entered the worlds of elite companies. When Shudu was first launched and started starring in campaigns, people mistook her for a real human being. 
The precision in details and advanced 3D modeling have led us as humans to a situation where we challenge ourselves in distinguishing real from fake, more than ever before. Barbie, or any other doll for that matter, has never made us do so. They may have influenced countless children for decades, substantially setting particular demands for body image. Even so, no one has ever honestly questioned whether Barbie is real. It is clear to everyone, and always has been, that Barbie (or any character, doll or a human-like digital entity, for that matter) isn’t human. Shudu has changed that understanding. Alongside its companions, Shudu arouses remarkable empathy among its followers, while it is recorded on social media  engaging in typical human behaviour; Eating, meeting with human friends, watching movies, shopping, etc. They blur the line of our competence to empathise with non-human and unreal entities.

Digital models raise harsh questions regarding the future of employment in the beauty and fashion industries in light of technological innovations, since they are able to work in inhumane conditions. They need no breaks, they don’t sleep or eat, require no protection, they will never let out an embarrassing answer at an interview and they are impossible to abuse. They make the perfect employees. All they require is an operator, their puppeteer, if you wish, to plug in the computer and make the magic happen.

People opposed to this view don't believe digital identities are able to replace models and influencers completely. And that even if they are able to do so, maybe it isn’t a meaningful matter as I present it to be. They are unbothered by the possibility of generations of people being more empathetic towards fictional characters than human beings. They might see it as no different than children empathizing with fictional characters from movies or stories.

To those people, I’d like to raise a fundamental question: Given that the digital identities are capable of visually tricking our understanding about the meaning of being human, and considering the rapid development of AI; Can we even imagine what is going to happen when those two fields merge? 
What will happen to humanity when the human brain will not be able to distinguish a living human from a physical, human-like entity, which is capable of communicating and at a human level? How could one possibly claim that there is no possibility of that happening? Furthermore, how could one ignore the possible destructive implications of such technology to a human society in which humanity isn’t of superior value since humans will no longer be able to define humanity as before? 

The answers are for us to find or to determine.