It is clear that sea level is rising, global warming is getting worse, and human seems to face the biggest issue ever. Wakefield suggests that we are living in a back loop yet she also points out we need to face it and this could be our opportunity.
One of the methods to mitigate the situation is by using resiliency design work, which can adapt the ever-changing environment rather than proposing ‘dead’ ones that are hard to make changes. Such designs can also line perfectly with the existing infrastructures, and preserve the current urban orders.
Wakefield introduces that oysters are being proposed to be used as a kind of infrastructure in New York city. They are supposed to add themselves onto each other layer by layer to form a natural dam and help human with issues like rising sea level.
It is inspiring how she suggests that oysters have never been used this way and from now on, they could be equipped with the destiny of saving human through and beyond their whole life. So here comes the question, is oyster political? Wakefield argues that oysters are becoming more ‘biopolitical’. Humans are manipulating oysters’ lives and using them for the benefits of humans themselves, even qualify such method as ‘designed as living systems’. It is solid that one key factor which distinguishes human from other animals is to use tools, but in this case, is oyster a tool for human, or is another living species counted as a tool for human?
On the other hand, I have to admit that I was fascinated by the idea of building a ‘living system’ until Wakefield points out the political issue behind it. However, oysters themselves may not know and even care about if they are being used in some ways. All they need is to be alive and enjoy the sea and the sun. Using them as a kind of infrastructure is actually causing less damage than cooking them.
After all, global warming is a serious issue we have to face. The rising temperature, melting glaciers and increasing sea levels are causing enough catastrophes on the earth. Maybe when we face such issues, ‘biopolitical’ problems can come next.
