Tag: technology

The Left Must Embrace the Radical Potential of Technology – Or Face Political Defeat
While mainstream thinking today seeks to separate questions of technology from politics, the left has a long history - from Marx onwards - of visionary thinking about the radical potential of technology. For the left to ignore this potential at our present moment of multiple crises would lay the foundation for political defeat, argues Aaron Bastani.
Clear Bright Future: Paul Mason on Radical Humanism
James Butler is joined by Paul Mason to discuss his new book, Clear Bright Future. In a time of political repression and looming technological dystopia, can resistance be found in a renewed understanding of humanity itself?
Are You Gonna Go Huawei? 5G and the Rise of AI Nationalism
The recent row over the future of 5G in Britain has shone a spotlight on Huawei, and it's no coincidence questions concerning technology are underpinning the US-China trade dispute. James Meadway explains what debates over 5G and artificial intelligence ought to tell us about the state of global capitalism.
After Work?
James Butler is joined by Will Stronge, director of the think tank Autonomy, to discuss the future of work.
Extinction Rebellion? George Monbiot on the Politics of Climate Change
On #NovaraFM, James Butler is joined by George Monbiot to discuss the launch of Extinction Rebellion, and the politics of the climate movement.
Forget Surveillance Capitalism – It’s Time to Build a Digital Commons
To build a future of shared digital plenty we need to transform and democratise the ownership of data and technological infrastructure, argues Mat Lawrence.
Vijay Prashad: Neoliberalism, Global Capital & the Indian Left
In a #NovaraFM special from TWT, James Butler is joined by Vijay Prashad to discuss neoliberalism, the transformations of global capitalism and the Indian Left.
A New Dark Age?
On #NovaraFM, James Butler is joined by James Bridle, to discuss the politics of technology, silicon prometheanism, how to think about the present – and why nothing seemed to happen after the Snowden leaks.
Now is the Time for Worker Power in the Tech Industry
Among the upper echelons of the tech industry there is strong hostility to the idea of organised labour. But the tech sector is too important to cede control of it to capital, and lately there have been more and more reasons why tech workers need to build collective power, writes Wendy Liu.
The Chilling Future of Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace
Increasing use of artificial intelligence in the workplace is forcing people to police themselves more than ever, argues RJ Quinn.
Long Read: Fully Automated Green Communism
How can we secure luxury for all without careering even faster towards climate catastrophe? Aaron Bastani discusses.
Peter Frase: Life After Capitalism

  On #NovaraFM, James Butler speaks to Peter Frase of Jacobin, author of Four Futures, about life after capitalism and the politics of the future.

Left, Left, Forward: Thoughts On The Future Of Gaming And Progressive Politics
Marijam Didzgalvyte, Jish Newham and Simon Saunders discuss how video games are going to evolve in the future, the effects of the big world events and what space is there for radical politics to progress in gaming.
Facebook and Freedom: How Silicon Valley’s Ideology Masks Emerging Power
Since its inception many have seen the internet as a space of freedom, without authority or hierarchy. But, Internet.org, Facebook's latest endeavour, suggests this isn't the case.
Long Read: The World After 2016: 6 New Rules in Politics
Brexit. Trump. The ubiquity of Facebook. The fracturing of historically-dominant political parties. The political certainties of yesterday are out of the window, and there's more up for grabs than we know.
Climate scientists use new web technology to fight climate denial
The cynical approach to climate change adopted by many media outlets is a constant source of frustration for anyone who acknowledges the urgency of global warming. Now scientists are able to hold them to account.
Long Read: Tesla, iPad Socialism and the Return of the Future
Sunday Long Read: Over the last year much has been made of the role of technology in the realisation of a left future, but if 'iPad socialism' is to become more than a slogan, it will be public - not private - funding that makes it happen.
Communicating Capitalism: 7 Basics for the Uninitiated
Housing, inequality, technology, the environment - all these things tie into a system called capitalism. Ever grappled with what people really mean by this? Here's a bumper guide to just a few of the basics.