Our Icarus Moment: Technocracy, Plutocracy, And The Need For Sense
By Romi Mahajan
07 June, 2015
Countercurrents.org
I recently came across an ad that offered to make me a “Data Scientist” in 12 weeks. My first instinct was to call my father, a renowned plasma physicist, to tell him that the jig was up- after all, it only takes 12 weeks to become a scientist so what’s the big deal about his life’s work? I quickly decided against it, in favor of writing to the Nobel committee; perhaps they should cease awarding prizes in the sciences, fields where, clearly, “wham, bam, thank you ma’am” education suffices. Luckily I calmed down and, as is writers’ wont, decided instead to write.
One might say I am overreacting. After all, this was an advertisement and we all know that advertisements sell hyperbole. Upon analysis I realize, however, that the 12 weeks is not the part that made me chafe the most. What annoys me the most is the designation “Scientist” to the computerized manipulation and visualization of data using existing programs and applications; that was the original sin. If the ad said, “Become a Data Manipulator in 12 weeks,” there would be nothing to comment on. But “Scientist?” Come on.
The disturbing part is what this idea reflects: The combination of hubris and the attendant degradation of language and thought that has become the sine qua non of the business of technology positivism. There is no higher expression of arrogance than technocracy. Plutocracy and technocracy have become the twin theologies of our times. “We see what you cannot, we know what you cannot, we do what you cannot so follow our lead “technocrats not so subtly intone as they increasingly take over the world.
If one can learn science in 12 weeks then one can do anything right? If a mobile app can “better” your life or a “network” make one “social”then anything is possible right? If reality is virtual then any fictional outcome can be made real, right? Big data “knows” so if I own Big Data then I not only know but I can own the fact of “knowing” as well. You get the point.
The issue is not the hyperbole inherent in marketing. The issue is that the now dominant worldview is propped on two coupled syllogisms:
1- Humanity has problems; Technology solves all problems better than anything else; therefore, Humanity needs technology more than anything else.
2- Making money is the only goal. Technology makes money. So technology is the only goal.
The issue has become acute. Every sector of human endeavor has been suckered into hewing to the same goals. Schools are supposed to be innovative and profitable. So are civic organizations. College is being examined for “ROI.” All institutions trip over themselves to broadcast how technology-forward they are. Relationships, social formations, AND social ills are made, destroyed, nourished, and depleted via technology.
Once one succumbs to the logic of technocracy, its hermetic intensity is overwhelming. In fact, it feels good. Technocracy suggests that we worry less about political and economic activity to promote human equality and citizenship and more about inventing solutions that are exogenous to the human condition It is easier to code or deal with electrons than to deal with people. And it’s indeed far easier to imagine that that which serves “me” is also that which serves humanity. Surely, all manner of social ills must be due to the paucity of technologies, the logic goes, so we must create more. Thus, the combination of theological technology positivism with the normativity of the “right” to profit is seductive- sensible, sensual, self-empowering, and sensory. This combination is devious because it implies and creates a convergence between greed and good whereas a less devious logic tells us to pick carefully which “g” we care about more because the paths diverge quickly. The less devious logic is also less sexy.
It’s time to choose between sexiness and sense.
This convergence has created an Icarus moment. The sea is below us and we have to decide how high to fly. Sure, the technocrats amongst us will tell us all to soar high, but shouldn’t the rest of us be more sensible?
Romi Mahajan can be reached at [email protected]
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