[-empyre-] the netopticon

[marc garrett]

Hi Christina & all,

Getting back to some of your other comments...

 >Advanced robotics will replace most human labor.

This an interesting situation, because if we replace human involvement 
and human presences as, in doing and being - distancing 'us humans' from 
using tools (individually and collectively); we are then left with 
displacement, disaffection and lack of mutual responsibility; the next 
step after that is that property gets valued at a higher rate than 
humanity itself. This has already begun. The Internet being owned and 
controlled by corporate interests and the gradual eroding, outlawing of 
self-made and community made spaces. A shift from active co-creation of 
social space to passive consumption of imposed 'officialized' culture. 
Net Neutrality is under imminent threat.

Yet we can be sure that in general, human social values will get shoved 
down the bottom of list of urgent requirements if left to the powers 
that be. If we consider bio technology and issues around DNA patenting 
of life and everything. Fostering biopiracy of indigenous resources, 
turning life forms into commodities to be used for profit and destroying 
economic sustainability of developing nations. “We’ve been very 
concerned about the whole concept that companies can patent life-forms,” 
says Glenn Wiser of the Center for International Environmental Law. 
“That’s really troubling, and when it’s done without the informed prior 
consent of people, it’s much more troubling.” Lust for Life – ethics of 
bioprospecting by pharmaceutical companies. Barbara J. Fraser. 
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1525/is_3_85/ai_62828695/

The world we live in, including ourselves is in danger of becoming 
nothing more important than data-products. The plants, our land, our 
food, the air we breath, our ideas, our affections, our (supposed) 
freedoms, our names, the sky, and of course – everything we are and what 
we do. It’s all up for grabs. And in a sense, your reference to the 
'luddite' is poignant. It reflects a possible moment in our lives where 
groups as part of their anti-neoliberalist stance may decide to move in 
the direction of proposing an anti-technological remit in their 
missions, as a revolutionary act.

Wishing you well.

marc