How can design bring empathy back in an increasingly disconnected world?
Modern war has lost traditional connection between soldiers on the battlefield and civilians at home. Shifting enlistment to the poorest members of the nation, increased media coverage of data, rather than individuals, and government censorship has lead to apathy.
The Beat Empathy Device records the heartbeat of an anonymous soldier, and physically taps it into the chest of a civilian. They share excitement, fear, calm, and death. The news becomes news about your soldier, not just some soldier.
Now, imagine if this was your drivers license or Government ID.