jerry mander in_the_absence_of_the_sacred
DESCRIPTION
An brief overview of some of Jerry Mander's ideas in the book: In the Absence of the SacredTRANSCRIPT
Jerry ManderIn The Absence of The Sacred
Overview by R. Redekopp
Common Misconceptions
Progress is good
It's inevitable
Technology brings freedom
There's no turning back
Common Misconceptions
Technology is neutral!
It is not and this belief strengthens those who benefit the most from it.
Common Misconceptions
Technology is neutral!
It is not and this belief strengthens those who benefit the most from it.• government, • military, • banks, • corporations
Common Misconceptions
Technology is neutral!
Sometimes convenient for us, but much more useful for them.
The Driving Need for More
"The Indian problem today, as it always has been, is directly related to the needs of technological societies to find and obtain remotely located resources ..." (p. 6)
Sound like Heidegger??
The Technology
Why is it hard to question technology?
Because we have no practice or background in doing it!
The Technology
Why is it hard to question technology?
Technologies are:• ubiquitous and therefore hard to perceive• are presented in a 'best case' scenario when
introduced• designed to 'solve' a particular problem (while
creating others)
We are shown the promise and potential, but not the consequences
The Technology
Why is it hard to question technology?
We are shown the promise and potential, but not the consequences:
The United States Department of Education and the White House formally kicked off a new national center Friday whose aim is to identify, test, and help bring to market promising education technologies. http://thejournal.com/articles/2011/09/16/national-center-looks-to-advance-education-technology.aspx
The Technology
Why is it hard to question technology?
By the time we see the consequences, the technology is entrenched and ...
"We can't live without it"
The Technology
Question technology? Some considerations (adapted from Mander) • Be skeptical of claims since they come from
proponents• Assume "Guilty until proven innocent"• Tech is not neutral - social, political and
environmental consequences
The Technology
Question technology? Some considerations (adapted from Mander) • Flash in nice, but consequences are slow to appear• Personal benefits should be a minor consideration.
What are the larger implications• Any tech is only part of the larger 'megatechnology'• Does the tech serve smaller groups or larger industry
interests?o Smaller is more 'democratic' (people controlled)
The Technology
Question technology? Some considerations (adapted from Mander) • Claims of "more benefit than harm" are 'bribery'• Reject the notion of "what can't stop it"• Don't' worship the technology - bring a balance!
The Technology
Question technology? More direct questions (p. 4):• Who gains and loses?• Planet friendly or destructive?• Health effects?• Psychological effects?• Enhance our appreciation of nature?• Connections to current technologies?• What do they make possible that is different?• What is lost?
The Technology
Example: Computers Issues
Pollution and Health (producers and users)Employment changesQuantification and conceptual changesSurveillanceRate of AccelerationCentralizationAutomatic computer warfare.
The Technology
Example: TV Issues
Pollution and Health (producers and users)Employment changesFreedom of speech for the wealthyThe technology of passivityAcceleration of the nervous systemPerceptual speed up and confusionPolitics of Confused RealityCloning cultures