This document outlines a satirical video series called "Advise Me" that explores shifting American morality and ideas of morality through advice giving. It discusses designing the series to question whether advisors can give useful advice or just prescribe their own morality. It also examines how advice has changed over time and what seeking advice from strangers says about people. Prior works providing examples of advice columns, satirical advice, and satire through video are referenced. Prototypes of an interactive installation are described where advice is given in response to triggered videos.

1. “Advise Me”
A Mini Thesis Project by
Laura Simpson

2. Intro
• “Advise Me” is a satirical
video series exploring
American morality and ideas
of morality shift via Advice
Giving.

3. Domains
Morality Advice
giving
Satire
Video

4. Design Questions/
Audience
• Is the advisor actually capable of giving useful
advice or are they merely prescribing their own
morality?
• Has advice changed in the last 60 years?
• What does it say about people who seek advice
from strangers?
• Audience: Advice seekers

5. Precedence
• Advice Columns: • Satirical Advice
Dan Savage, Dear Column:
Abby, Ann Landers, Mrs. Mills Solves all of
Ask Prudence, Since your Problems
you Asked
• Satire via video:
Autotune the News

6. Selected Research
• Morality: Being Good
• Fiction:
McGraw-Hill Social Education Films,
Ms. Lonelyhearts by Nathanael West

7. Prototype 1
• Interactive, sound and sensor
triggered video installation.
• Social education films were
interchangeable with the
Advisor’s video clips.
• Videos were randomized such
that the Advisor never “heard”
the actual request.

8. Prototype 2
• The persona was
created for the Advisor.
• The sound trigger was
refined and placed after
the proximity sensor.
The Advisor asked for
the user’s question
directly.

9. Prototype 3
• Removed interactivity
in favor of developing
the persona and
expanding the
number of social
education films that I
can work with.

10. Advise me Premier