I'm backtracking to week 2 to have a look at some of the readings and lectures from there. I was fascinated by the idea of how technology can lead to fundamental earthquakes in how we as a society approach the world and how changes can be made in reaction to fundamental though earthquakes, like the threat of a nuclear war. I left the lecture pondering that idea. I guess I'm also fascinated by how technology is also the thing we turn to for a sense of safety and permanence in the face of what looks like coming destruction. Although I would argue that even the most well-designed system is ultimately fallible, it seems like we as a society embrace and 'play' with technology and figure out what it can do for us, and seem to assume a sense of permanence or dependability in connection with that technology.
I thought Stalder had an interesting point when he commented that money, without the social connotations or existing systems determining what it can bring, is worthless except for its intrinsic material value, because money is a social construct of power. I guess what I got from Stalder's article is that culture is a constantly shifting and group-, not individually-determined stasis of things, and the internet is a constantly growing and shifting channel for information and production of culture.
hmmmm. so much to think about
Yes i do agree in a crisis, or even in day to day activities it is crazy how much we rely and turn to technology as a safety net. But, i would also note it is interesting that the complete opposite can happen with emerging technology. We hear all the time society prosecuting a new technology accusing it to be the cause of social problems.
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