The last 30 years has seen an increase in our understanding of the shift in society towards the digital age of networked production. The emergence of contemporary subjectivites, such as the ‘digital worker/cognitariat’ as well as generational demarcations such as the ‘digital native’, have received the attention of academics and those with a vested interest in understanding the potentiality of the present. These debates have often been framed inside the radical potential of unending and open knowledge production and its subsequent appropriation into capital.
But what are the material limits of the internet and any projected digital future? Can the internet really be decoupled from consumerism? What environmental factors exist that radically limit the expansion of the internet in real or utopian terms? How do we build a digital culture in the present, outside of the demands of growth and the waste of progress? What role could renewable energies play in the internet’s present or future? What possiblities exist for a ‘free’ internet inside the environmental constraints of the present? What are the psycho/social implications of a life lived on the internet?
You are invited to explore these questions with us, alongside academics and other interested parties. ‘What Digital Future?’ is a free event.
The Day is broken into 4 streams of discussion-
Technology and The Environmental Pressure Cooker
The environment is undoubtedly under pressure, can digital technology offer a salvation?
The Psychological Effects of Social Networks and a ‘Life Lived In Public’
Much is made of the empowering effects of social networks to connect individuals and enable social movements. But what are the negative psychosocial implications of our new found expression.
Work, Empowerment & Exploitation In The Digital Age
Liberalised markets, integrated global economies and internationally networked production sites have radically altered the composition of the labor force both domestically and abroad. Who are the winners and losers in the digital age, now and going forward?
Liquid Economics, Value and Power
From digital currencies to the monetary value of music, from piracy to crowd sourcing, it’s all changing. So as a society are we freer and richer now, or merely labouring under a ‘new face’ of old power structures?
Confirmed speakers so far include-
Mark Fisher - Author of Capitalist Realism -@kpunk99
http://k-punk.abstractdynamics.org
Ben Lear - Shift Magazine - @Ben_in_Manc
Bethan Michael, Lecturer in the Education Studies department at the University of Bedfordshire (research interest -the legacy of Postmodern Culture) - @bethan_michael
Cllr Henry Vann, councillor for dep Parys ward in Bedford - @Bedfordvann
Aaron Peters - Resonance Fm and Novara Media - @aaronjohnpeters
http://www.opendemocracy.net/author/aaron-peters
The Wine and Cheese Appreciation Society of Greater London - @portandcheddar http://junge-linke.org/en/bitcoin-finally-fair-money
Federico Campagna - Through Europe Collective - @FedCampagna
Prof. Monica Whitty - Media and Communication Dept, Leicester University
Others TBC.
Date: Thursday 7th February 2013
Venue:
The Firestation Centre For Arts And Culture,
The Old Court,
St Leonards Rd,
Windsor,
SL4 3BL
Time:
11am - 5 pm
Please register your attendance at:
