un:balanced interactions.
Case study 04/10 — 2026
Why Generation Z is often mentally absent in shared spaces, and what that does to the way we engage with each other.
- Year
- 2026
- Disciplines
- Behaviour, Research, Casestudy
Many members of Generation Z often experience a state of 'mental absence' while physically present in shared spaces, creating a pattern of unfocused interaction driven by digital device usage. Drawing on Erving Goffman’s concepts of civil inattention and non-person treatment, we explore this 'gray area'—an ambiguous space where technology keeps individuals mentally elsewhere despite their physical proximity. Our research investigates how these shifting patterns of attention and communication are reshaping social engagement and how these dynamics interact with our broader culture, environment, and interpersonal relationships.
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Next frame — 05/10 An interactive menu projected onto the restaurant table, so guests can explore it and order on their own. View project 