Critical Experiences: Data Expiration

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