Barney and Andrejevic

And now we turn to some pessimists… Darin Barney analyzes the economic effects of computer networks, and their consequent political and societal effects (primarily in America, or other countries in the North–this being a term that replaces the antiquated “West”). He approaches network technology with a great deal of skepticism, offering a cautious, and even…

Kelly, Lurie, Trippi

While Kevin Kelly’s optimism is rather refreshing, it is seems a bit idealistic, especially now that we are in 2011 rather than 2005. Yes, the internet grew exponentially despite the dot-com burst through the private interests of internet users, but these interests (at least now) are not altogether divorced from economic interests. A gift economy?…

Friedrich August von Hayek

What happened to the Marxists?! Well, as we move into a more strictly economic and political realm, I will start with a lovely little clip: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvKIWjnEPNY] I think Hayek would agree that “you can’t expect to wield supreme executive power just ’cause some watery tart threw a sword at you.” Power comes from delineations in…