Media, Information and Technoculture 2100F/G Lecture Notes - Lecture 13: Hacktivism, New Political Economy (Journal), Big Government
13 Aug 2016
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Document Summary
Alter-globalization movement pioneers indie media" but ultimately fails: 9/11 war on terror" diverts attention from economic issues, problems of internet organization. Reliance on digital media as a form of political mobilization. In some ways, profit-oriented social media (fb, twitter, youtube) incorporated ideas and practices that first appeared as associated with indie media": ex. Has completely altered the terrain of digital activism. Meltdown in us financial sector due to high-risk sub-prime mortgages. Effects spread from banking sector into other sectors of the economy: wall street to main street. Big government bailouts for banks, auto industry: billions of dollars in expenditures. Introduction of regimes of austerity, cutbacks, and job layoffs for many people. Massive contraction of the north american economy and of economies worldwide: knock-on effects all around the world. Financial sector was dependent on computers and networks. Automation and offshoring created a low-wage global economy: constant search for ever-cheaper labour. Creates problems on the demand side not enough consumption.
