Illustrating Power Structures

With increasing amounts of surveillance, bureaucratic organizations coordinating data accumulation, and mediation of computational systems, the flow of data has become unidirectional into the control of those in positions of power. The intention of this thesis is to propose a method of augmenting an individual's ability to organize and illustrate data about the networks of larger institutions and powerful individuals which influence their daily life in an attempt to shift the balance of power towards an increase in social justice.

Power Structures is an online system for illustrating the networks of power brokers that influence our daily lives. Participants are invited to contribute data about people, places, things, events, groups, and the relationships that tie them together. The maps produced act as narrative structures outlining the flow of influence.