The Immaterial Aristocracy of the Internet. By Harry Halpin
Taking issue with the argument that, after decentralisation, control is embodied within the protocols of networks, Harry Halpin gives a historical account of the all-too-human actors vying for power over the net. Not technical standards but immaterial aristocrats rule cyberspace and their seats of power are vulnerable to revolutionary attack Is there anything redeeming in the net? It all seemed so revolutionary not so long ago, but today it appears this revolutionary potential is spent. Is this disillusionment symptomatic ofthe structure of the net itself? Such is the analysis presented in Alexander Galloway and Eugene Thacker's book, The Exploit. However, I think it is problematic at best to forsake the net's revolutionary potential at this point. My general impression of Galloway's previous work Protocol: How Control Exists After Decentralization, is that while it is undoubtedly some of the best workin 'new media' studies to be produced in recent years, it leads ultimately not to action but to paranoia. more... http://www.metamute.org/en/Immaterial-Aristocracy-of-the-Internet _______________________________________________ NetBehaviour mailing list [email protected] http://www.netbehaviour.org/mailman/listinfo/netbehaviour
