This book was written by a collective of five artists of various specializations (computer graphics and web design, film/video, photography, text art, book art, and performance art) and is dedicated to exploring the intersections between art, technology, radical politics, and critical theory. I will explore several areas discussed in the book and give some personal reactions.
The book starts off talking about our culture’s obsession with management systems and its impacts ranging from production, urban-environments, leisure activities, expressions, and the public’s increased isolation and alienation. The book determines that we are a culture of both habit and how management impacts upon our society.
The collective of five artists termed the word: “pancapitalism” (production, consumption, and order) when talking about the public body being invaded by the consequences of technology. The book explains ISA (Ideological State Apparatus) and RSA (Repressive State Apparatus) are reliant on complex technology in order to stay in control and to remain effective. The RSA performs lots of mapping and surveying of territories and populations. However, once the RSA determines through its observations that a population is exposed, the RSA then does not want to be involved.
“Computers, the internet, and communication satellites are examples of communication technology that lost some of or all of their intrinsic value as RSA systems, and hence no longer had to be kept monopolized (19).” The book points out that RSA likes to keep their technology hidden or out-of-sight during peace time. I found this point very interesting and yet counter-intuitive to what one would expect. The book went on to talk about how during peace time there is no cause for RSA to celebrate as the RSA wants to keep the announcement of new developments and new weapons quiet and away from the public, because the RSA feels that it is not good for the public to know that these new weapons and developments even exist. Yet, the public has an increasing desire to be aware of new and complex technology. I personally agree that the public wants to be aware of all of the newest forms of technology including weapons and military developments.
The book informs the reader that companies, like NASA, use a robotic walker, Dante, to record events and collect scientific data (15). Dante also was used to help develop software for other robots. Robots, androids, and artificial intelligence machines all now exist and are currently being used in many adaptations. These machines are not made from human organics. Yet, Cyborgs and virtual consciousness are very much dependent on humans to create the commands and to develop the actual interfacing of the machines.
I was intrigued by much of the information regarding scientific adaptations contained within this book. An example of a very interesting use discussed was how in the 1930’s and 1940’s a shopper could X-ray their own feet to make sure that their shoes fit correctly. Although this proved hazardous because of the danger of radiation, I wish that there was something similarly used today.
I was also very interested in the section, “military and civilian cyborgs.” The military section explained that “soldiers are no longer soldiers; now they are weapons’ systems (27).” Later on in this section, it was explained that the military believes that these new developments have created a “happy moment” in time for them. I enjoyed reading about the discussion of cyborgs; the section refers to a first phased civilian cyborg as an individual who is normally equipped with a lap-top computer and cell phone. I believe that I qualify as one of the first phase civilian cyborgs as do many of my friends.
The section that I was most interested in was the one about drugs which are supposed to normalize behavior and affect behavior in social contexts. The book spoke of anti-depressants and ADD and ADHD anxiety and stress relievers. The drugs, more often then not, have side effects that are counter-productive. Also, it was pointed out that it is hard to make and use these chemical interventions because various symptoms can be so wide- spread and different. Yet, the pharmaceutical industry is more profitable today then ever-before, even though, it quite often is accused of over-prescribing these very same drugs.
The book also spoke of “smart” drugs which I had never heard of before. These are drugs that contain natural supplements that are supposed to enhance memory, stamina, immune systems, and general health. These smart drugs help bring the body back to supernormal. It was also pointed out that the drugs like steroids, cocaine, weight loss pills, and pain killers can be extremely counterproductive and hazardous to one’s health and even create addiction. The weight loss pills have become a huge industry that is closely related to the cosmetic and hygiene industries. Overall, all drugs are intended to “normalize” the individual.
I was not as interested in or captivated by the “conception” or the “eugenicists” sections. However, I was intrigued by one remark: “Domestic togetherness in the middle-class family has nearly ceased, and children spend more time with their socializing-education services and mass media then with significant others (123).” After reading this section, one concludes that we are placing children in all-day daycare and loosing the valuable and necessary interaction between parents and their child. I suspect muchof this has to do with how we set priorities and with the differences included in socioeconomic classes.
Clearly, the continuing intersecting of technology and society creates positives and negatives. However, when radical politics and critical theory is then superimposed upon that intersection, the interpretation of what is positive and what is negative becomes more complex and difficult to understand. Machines are complex; people are complex. We should not expect to find simplicity in an increasingly complex world.
