
Steven Doughty
Critical Experiences: Data Expiration
Updated: Nov 20, 2020

During my interview with Adam he reframed my "metaphor-question" about information decay as data expiration. Expiration dates typically seen on consumer products which are sometimes related to actual organic food decay as well as quality, safety, and life-cycle standards are a common visual element for many people. Acting as meta-information about the contents of a particular container the dates, expiration dates let people know when it may be in their best interest in discarding a product without even closely examining/opening it. I will be exploring extending this metaphor to more abstract and less traditional concepts and objects in the coming days.
Elements:
Dot Matrix Font - Convenient Quora Link Regarding Fonts Used in Expiration Labels.
This recognizable font is result of labelling machines and printers having custom fonts directly programmed.
Date:
Most common date elements are expired by, best by, and manufactured. Typically abbreviated the date format seems to vary by region and product.
Newtonian Mechanics -
Made on : JUL 1687 - Newton’s Principia
EXP JUN 1905 - Einstein's SR
Phlogiston -
MADEON 1669 - Physica Subterranea Johanna Becher
EXP JUL 1783 - Réflexions sur le phlogistique (Reflections on Phlogiston)
Cassette Tape
MADEON - AUG1963
BEST BEFORE AUG1982 -- First commercial release of audio CD.
Cell-Phone
MADEON - APR1973 - Motorola cell phone
BESTBY - JAN2007 - Iphone Release
Election Ballots
MADEON - ???
EXP - Election Day