In a dystopian near scenario wher every consumer good seems susceptible to be reinvented as a smart object, even a knife, the simplest and straightforward tool, can be turned into a complex machine. This promotes a relationship between the user and the device that is univocal: the room for choice is limited by the system in which the technology is embedded. How to overcome this technological determinism? What if you had to teach your knife how to cut? Considering the device as a tabula rasa and the user as a trainer, I propose to reverse the process and create a trustful interaction, fostering mutual learning between the person and the device.
It is not anymore about a smart object but rather about a learning object. As it is natural in any learning process, the more you learn the more you want to know. Accordingly with the increase of its knowledge and thanks to the sensors is equipped with and its ability to surf the Internet, the knife is able to distinguish and compare. It will start to question itself and its independence and the user would face the difficulty to find an answer for the rebellion of his knife. What to do if your knife wants to be a kettle? And how to overcome the fact that now your knife is able to monopolize your way of cutting, being strict with what you have taught it? How to find a compromise with all the data automatically collected by the knife? Is it possible to erase its memory?