M3.1

The information age, coming after the industrial age, moves value in real (manual) labour and real products having real value into an age where information and knowledge is commodified. In the reading the information in education is under attack. What was once a basic human right like clean drinking water is now being commodified and privatized. In this age labour is centered around information as well, while most industrial tasks not yet overcome by technology by means of robotics and other automation are sent overseas to less developed nations. Labour remaining in North America comprises mostly of tasks in management, marketing, and others in the realm of ICT. This age is not without its downfalls, specifically leaving behind those without access or training to participate using ICT.

Technology largely serves the political economy’s of governments and multinational corporations to maintain a hegemony. Just like anything else these technologies can be bought and sold and can generate income. Although not always electronic or digital, throughout the ages this has been the case when it comes to technology that its owners or controllers are at the throne of massive influence. So it is clear, the power is in the ownership here, usually the ones first up to bat as technology emerges. A companies like Microsoft and Google influence the political economy greatly as they are key in the shift from a point in history of an age of manufacturing to a post-industrial society. They emerged to fill technological requirements, and this is true of all technology. Most all technologies emerge as solutions to issues within a political economy, from the discovery of fire to the iPhone. Not all emerging technology has to be sold or used in some political or economic fashion. Fredrick Banting who discovered insulin as a treatment of diabetes gave it away freely to the world, even when he was entitled to patenting his discovery and charging a premium on its use.

Considering control and ICTs, it's clear they've been come major socializing agents but who is their master? Are we, the people, in control of technology as it emerges? Shaping it and bending it to our will? Or, is there a puppet master behind the curtain? Much like news media and its ever-controversial biases I believe ICTs are subject to the same fate. They are all in fact owned by someone or some business entity. And, each and all of them have their own vision for the future of technology and the age of man. Usually involving them making a buck or two in the process.

Wrapping things up here, its clear ICTs have a massive influence over society and CAN alter the future, however, emerging ICTs are as we all know, largely social. In a sense, this leaves the power in the hands of the collective users. We have a choice to step back and not be marketed to. What is particularly insane are the measures one has to go through to obtain such technological freedom of influence.Take the TOR network for example, which has received some media attention lately. The TOR network is like the underground railroad of the internet, and was created by some to escape much of the surveillance of the so-called “surface level” of the internet. Such as Facebook, Google, etc. Remember what I said before about technology emerging as necessary, to fill some type of need? The very fact that the TOR network exists is testament to the control of modern day ICTs.