Will we be freed by machines? PAUL MASON
4 impacts of infotech !Disrupts
price mechanism !De-links work from wages !Network effects (free utility) !Systematic asymmetry of knowledge
Capitalism ! Complex,
adaptive system ! Survives through major mutations ! Replaces low-value with high value activity !i.e.
high skill, high complexity
! “Colonisation�
of non-markets
Infocapitalism [dysfunctional] ! [Price]
Single-company monopoly ! [Work] Low-value, high-coercion work ! [Networks] Rent-seeking ! [Asymmetry] Intellectual property
work machines materials energy
Post-capitalism [project] !Promote
non-market production of goods/services !Promote rapid automation/ universal basic services !Legislate vs rent seeking !Restrict IP to innovation phase
Agency…
“a class in relation to capital” ”a class for itself” [politically]
y b d e n i f e d s i s e s v i l y Cla e h t s a d e l n p A o . y r pe o t s i h n w e o h r i t e s i h t t a h t d n e e , in th n o i t i n i f e d only n o s p m o h T E.P
KURT: And this man here ... he too will not change the world. He is satisfied the way it is now. STARCHED COLLAR MAN: And who will change it? GERDA: Those who are not satisfied! Brecht: Kuhle Wampe 1932
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