Bahar wrote (see below line):
Mass production is a useful way to get a lot of goods at
lowest cost.If the conditions of work are pretty bad, just
get a different job.
Harry Pollard
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>
> Thoughts on the character of Mass Production;
>
> This discussion of course is one about the character of technological systems
>themselves. Are they neutral, value free or socially constructed. I think enough
>evidence now points to technologies as social control mechanism as well. Among many
>possible technical paths to the solution of production questions some are preferred
>over others due essentially to the power game.
> Mass production is a particularly poignant example of this due to its embodiment of
>Taylorist management and deskilling. To expect a participatory outcome from mass
>production would be impossible due to its development as an elite control technology.
>
> A good example of the impossiblity to democratically control mass production was the
>beginnings factory soviets in the opening phases of the bolshevik revolution. Mass
>production technologies transferred or rather copied from the west allowed only
>hierarchical control giving rise to the consolidation of the management elite.
>
> That participative and democratic control of technology is necessary, there is no
>doubt. But the design of production technologies is where the real social control has
>to come in, all the way to the initail research&development phase. How present
>capitalist technologies can be reconfigured for a fairer workplace and production
>process is the baffling question!!?
>
> Baha Kuban
>
> >>> "Durant" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 02/16/98 10:31 >>>
> I've forgotten who I responded to here,
> sory if it is a repeat.
>
> Eva
>
> I think I did have a similar question before -
> I don't think that the "home-industry"
> style production can satisfy the needs of the present number
> of people. Also, if we can find the sustainable means
> of cutting down on the soul-numbing jobs, why shouldn't
> we? Lets keep the capitalism created wonders
> of science and technology, through democratic
> control, let's make sure it is done sustainably
> and with minimal environmental degregation.
> I picture the next era witha minimum of
> rotated unwanted task, and full individual
> creative development.
>
> Eva
>
> >
> > Eva, why would we want to keep mass production; which is a
> > particular manifestation of capitalist production relations
> > pertaining to a particular accumulation regime of a particular era
> > in the techno-eco omic history of capitalism, for a sustainable
> > world may I ask. I am sorry if I am out of context here because I
> > didn't listen well...
> >
> > baha
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > >>> "Durant" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 02/12/98 12:51 >>>
> > Mass production and globalisation is necessary
> > if we want to sustain sustainably the earth's
> > population. That is why we cannot go back
> > to some quaint early form of capitalism.
> >
> > Eva
> >
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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Harry Pollard (818) 352-4141
Henry George School of Los Angeles
Box 655
Tujunga CA 91042
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