Re: [313] [OT] Re: [313] submerge.panel and technology
Unfortunately there is no better world to escape to (and if there was I dare say we'd need rocket ships to get there!) Avoiding global capitalism is not an option at this point in the game, those who refuse to play will probably not survive. Therefore I see no other option than the creative adoption of technology as a weapon of resistance for those cultures that wish to survive. However, I don't believe that global capitalism is necessarily synonymous with technological advance; in many ways technology appears to be hindered by capitalism, and backwards agendas promoted (why else gas guzzling cars STILL are the primary form of transportation?). I don't see technology as something that necessarily conflicts with inherited cultures, either. Techno music itself is in so many ways a technological reworking of very basic human rhythms, often with roots in Africa. Even the homogenization promoted by the internet seems to exist primarily insofar as the internet promotes a homogenous corporate agenda; but one must admit that it has just as much potential to create virtual spaces that promote what is unique and singular, what is heterogenous rather than always the same. Indeed the decentralization of the internet makes it ideal for this, although there is an ongoing struggle over how decentralized it will be and who will control it. In the end, your argument against technology would seem to be misleading, as all humans use tools, there is no human culture that exists without technology. The question is: what kind of technology will we choose to create??? /dave g wrote: Agreed that societies which are technologically advanced have a competitive advantage in the global economy, but should all cultures be forced into global capitalism and the technology race? g Paul Virilio: Resistance is always possible! But we must engage in resistance first of all by developing the idea of a technological culture. However, at the present time, this idea is grossly underdeveloped. For example, we have developed an artistic and a literary culture. Nevertheless, the ideals of technological culture remain underdeveloped and therefore outside of popular culture and the practical ideals of democracy. This is also why society as a whole has no control over technological developments. And this is one of the gravest threats to democracy in the near future. _ Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com - To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[313] [OT] Re: [313] submerge.panel and technology
I wasn't at the panel, but I disagree with the idea that technology is a root cause of the massive inequality of the world. I think technology is neutral, it is a tool whose use can be motivated by greed and profit or by social consciousness. The current tide of globalism from below, a historic network of independent media reporters, organizers, and activists exists today because of widespread deployment of communication technology throughout the first and and parts of the third world. Events like the World Social Forum at Port Alegro Brazil or the Seattle protests couldn't have been organized without technology. I'm not delusional, I know 3/5 of the world's population doesn't have clean sanitation let alone have used a telephone, but that's more of a reason we need to focus on getting technology in the hands of the disempowered rather than wishing it would go away. My two cents, back to techno. At 10:15 AM 6/5/2002 -0400, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: yeah this is a little late but. i was at the submerge panel saturday morning of demfit had a very pro technology flavor to it...imo that is rather problematic since technology has played a _large_ part in the rising levels of inequality both in the united states (the income of the poorest 20 percent of households has fallen in real terms by about 15 percent in the last 25 years) as well as in developing countries (increases in technology have led to globalization which has led to dramatic increases in inequity in these countries)..i understand that the panelists were not there to speak on such things but all of us have a responsiblity to understand our place in the world back to the music kathleen mail2web - Check your email from the web at http://mail2web.com/ . - To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] _,.., /_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ jamie /| /_/_/_/_/_/_/_/,-' hurlbut / / /_/_/_/_/_/_/,-'/ / /_/_/_/_/_/_,:../ / |,' hurlbotics.com |/ ' - To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: [313] [OT] Re: [313] submerge.panel and technology
Original Message: - From: James Hurlbut [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Wed, 05 Jun 2002 09:21:43 -0700 To: 313@hyperreal.org Subject: [313] [OT] Re: [313] submerge.panel and technology I wasn't at the panel, but I disagree with the idea that technology is a root cause of the massive inequality of the world. did i say root cause? i said contributed to, played a large part in the _growing_ inequality..please don't just _react_ to what people write I think technology is neutral, it is a tool whose use can be motivated by greed and profit or by social consciousness. i totally agree...this concept has created what is called appropriate use what forms of technology will help people in developing countries..however numerous studies have shown that globalization thus far has increased the inequities not decreased and so to blindly be pro-technology w/o framing it is irresponsible imo The current tide of globalism from below, a historic network of independent media reporters, organizers, and activists exists today because of widespread deployment of communication technology throughout the first and and parts of the third world. Events like the World Social Forum at Port Alegro Brazil or the Seattle protests couldn't have been organized without technology. uh my housemate went to the first and i've been at every major wto protest..in addition as an activist i am well aware of the benefits technology ..the additions to my arsenal have had unmeasurable benefits I'm not delusional, I know 3/5 of the world's population doesn't have clean sanitation let alone have used a telephone, but that's more of a reason we need to focus on getting technology in the hands of the disempowered rather than wishing it would go away. My two cents, back to techno. i apologize if you read my statement ot mean i'm pro-luddite if you knew me you would realize that that concept is laughable.. kathleen mail2web - Check your email from the web at http://mail2web.com/ . - To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [313] [OT] Re: [313] submerge.panel and technology
Something to ponder: Perhaps a technology based culture isn't what every society needs or wants. While admitting that technological advancements in sanitation and medicine are universally beneficial, one could also argue that every family in the world having a computer and internet connection would simply lead to cultural homogenization and not necessarily mean a better life for everyone. Agreed that societies which are technologically advanced have a competitive advantage in the global economy, but should all cultures be forced into global capitalism and the technology race? g On Wednesday, June 5, 2002, at 12:21 PM, James Hurlbut wrote: I wasn't at the panel, but I disagree with the idea that technology is a root cause of the massive inequality of the world. I think technology is neutral, it is a tool whose use can be motivated by greed and profit or by social consciousness. The current tide of globalism from below, a historic network of independent media reporters, organizers, and activists exists today because of widespread deployment of communication technology throughout the first and and parts of the third world. Events like the World Social Forum at Port Alegro Brazil or the Seattle protests couldn't have been organized without technology. I'm not delusional, I know 3/5 of the world's population doesn't have clean sanitation let alone have used a telephone, but that's more of a reason we need to focus on getting technology in the hands of the disempowered rather than wishing it would go away. My two cents, back to techno. At 10:15 AM 6/5/2002 -0400, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: yeah this is a little late but. i was at the submerge panel saturday morning of demfit had a very pro technology flavor to it...imo that is rather problematic since technology has played a _large_ part in the rising levels of inequality both in the united states (the income of the poorest 20 percent of households has fallen in real terms by about 15 percent in the last 25 years) as well as in developing countries (increases in technology have led to globalization which has led to dramatic increases in inequity in these countries)..i understand that the panelists were not there to speak on such things but all of us have a responsiblity to understand our place in the world back to the music kathleen mail2web - Check your email from the web at http://mail2web.com/ . - To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] _,.., /_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ jamie /| /_/_/_/_/_/_/_/,-' hurlbut / / /_/_/_/_/_/_/,-'/ / /_/_/_/_/_/_,:../ / |,' hurlbotics.com |/ ' - To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
