Uncertainty, part 1
The more uncertainty, the more we cling to uncertainty reduction, such as predictive technologies (data science, AI) and futurologists, who promise a technological heaven on earth, even though we now really know that every new technology brings about a world of new uncertainties (or downright problems). …
2022-02-01AlgemeenArtikel
Creep
Our dreams are no longer small-scale. Through Zoom and Teams, Facebook and Instagram, and previously through satellite TV and big names like Radiohead and the Beatles, we became globally connected. From our cages, we look through our common window – the world wide web – at the same content and images …
2022-02-01AlgemeenArtikel
Uncertainty, part 2
Uncertainty is both an important drive to pursue control and mastery, with all the potentially catastrophic global consequences that entails, as well as the drive to communicate our humanity in connection and compassion. Uncertainty reduction is possible and sometimes wanted, fi by rules and regulations. …
2022-02-01AlgemeenArtikel
System Dementia and 1984
In 1984, Newspeak aims to replace ordinary language by 2050, with the aim of discouraging language as a vehicle for thinking and making it easier for people to function as slaves to the system. After all, thinking that deviates from what fact-checkers have determined to be correct, is regarded as conspiracy, …
2022-01-01AlgemeenArtikel
Mechanic
Four big themes really matter to our world: 1. Necessary transitions to secure our survival on the planet. 2. Decreasing confidence in political will/ability to do what is necessary. 3. Structural undermining of the working class through continuous technological development and its uncritical acceptance …
2022-01-01AlgemeenArtikel
Two great but dangerous loves
I love technology. We live technology; technology is as ubiquitous as nature used to be. It has reduced biodiversity and cultural diversity, creating a dangerous global uniformity with pollution, deforestation, climate problems and boredom and loneliness, also on a global scale. A lot of technology has …
2021-12-01AlgemeenAndersoortig materiaal
Stay small
It seems to hold that organisms either remain small, flexible and adaptive, or become relatively strong and invulnerable by growing very large. Denmark vs America, or Iceland vs China. A single-celled animal, such as the slipper animalcule, has a very strong strategy, and although we have run into serious …
2021-12-01AlgemeenAndersoortig materiaal
Brief
We have come to understand our world less and less, despite the countless one-liners (and slogans) that influencers and advertising people are constantly shooting at us via social media, among other things. We can no longer describe our world - it has simply become too complex for that. HBut marketing …
2021-12-01AlgemeenAndersoortig materiaal
Transition part 1
Our world is made up of so much technology, all around us, that we are barely aware of it. Technology accommodates our existence, as nature did for our prehistoric ancestors and still does for (most) other organisms. In this series of 3, I examine the tension between technology and nature as the host …
2021-11-01AlgemeenArtikel
Transition (Part 3)
Referring to his legendary Qatsi trilogy, Godfrey Reggio argues that the real problem with our world is not the people, but the technology we bring to life, as ubiquitous as the air we breathe. He argues that competition, winning, fame and love of money are elevated to core values of life: life as a …
2021-11-01AlgemeenArtikel