The Human Desire of Flight My thesis idea is centered around the human desire for flight. I have been pondering lately about a common dream that circulates amongst my peers. This dream involves the ability to fly without machine intervention. In accordance with a variety of samples, a range of 20-60% of individuals have experienced these dreams. Dreams are often representative of unconscious desires or notions within one's life. Because this is not quantifiable data, I have decided to be inclusive to all forms of flight that have either been successfully introduced to society like planes, jets and even space ships or unsuccessful attempts like flying cars and human wings. All of these technologies appeal to the aspiration of one thing, the desire of freedom through flight. The human body alone cannot fly yet we have always found a way around this biological circumstance. I want to delve into how this yearning of flight has been ingested into each factor of human society. This includes an economic basis in how certain fortunate individuals are more likely to experience flying. This begs the question of if flying is equated to freedom, does that make freedom a privilege?
I will also include a biblical standpoint. We often put the idea of flight on a pedestal. It is included in a variety of biblical imagery including angels and God. I will approach this with the curiosity of whether the desire of flight is related to the desire to be closer to God or to heaven. Biblical references to death often represent the idea of rising up to heaven. Does flight mean more than just a traveling vessel? Within a faith based perspective about flying, I wanted to explore the mythological element of icarus. This provides the negative connotations of flight. How desire can lead to tragedy. We see this especially in historical attempts of human wings. Within my baseline research I have found numerous of these failed attempts that have led to death. The issues that shape with any form of inclination or want, often happen in moments where one takes something beyond its limits To formulate a completed understanding of the human desire of flight I must incorporate the cultural elements of flying and how that affects how each person perceives it. In societies where there is peace, flying is reserved for leisurely practices. In societies where war is in place, flying is simply a machine for tactical use. Through a design lens, vessels of flight and their intended use is often visually represented by their aesthetics. I want to explore how these aesthetics alter a societal perspective on flight. The compositions of how flying is comprised in certain societies are inherently relevant but even though they may be diverse, they all stem from one thing. Humans want to fly.