We are living in a world owned by tech companies. People have 6 hours of screen time on average, mostly spent in capitalist apps like Fb Google Amazon Insta Reddit Youtube Chatgpt etc, and these companies shape people’s opinions.
Without owning these apps, or creating an alternative that people use, it is very hard to change anything, because they can manipulate people easily, and actually people became zombies with this much screen usage.
So what is the plan? How can we create alternatives? Is there a socialist development movement? Or how can we own the existing companies? How can the govnments use these companies in a socialist environment?
Did you know that Lemmy was created by communists for precisely these reasons? https://en.prolewiki.org/wiki/Lemmy
Or how can we own the existing companies?
Realistically we can only do that by seizing the means of production.
How can the govnments use these companies in a socialist environment?
China and other socialist states are already doing that. The companies there answer to the state, not the other way around like in capitalist states.
Eh?
Is China being used as an example of valid communism/socialism? Isn’t Chinese Communism (i.e. the form practiced by the CCP) completely off?
Technology already exists in socialist countries, and you can see how it’s used primarily for the development of society, rather than profit for the few. People don’t become zombies by using phones, even if phone addiction is high it isn’t rotting brains. Reject the “brainwashing” narrative, that’s not how people actually live and think.
But, majority of the western world tech is ruled by the elite. What are we gonna do? Will we stop using them, or will we own the ruling of this tech?
We have to establish socialism, and gradually appropriate it into the public sector. No need to stop using the tech altogether, just pivot it towards pro-social goals. In the meantime, FOSS can help fill the gap.
But, they will work against us, I don’t agree with you. We have to either force them to be open source, or rule them, or use Foss only
That’s why you establish socialism first, ie a society where public ownership is the principle aspect of the economy and the working classes in charge of the state. You also don’t need to force them into being open-source, though that’s nice. We’re eventually collectivizing all production and distribution anyways. I’m not really sure what you’re disagreeing with.
There is a vicious cycle, that prevents socialism take over.
- People use social media owned by capitalists
- People do not think about socialism because their life is on the capitalist apps that investigate people’s opinions
- Socialism doesn’t get popular
- People continue using social media, getting addicted.
I couldn’t exactly write, but social media etc is owned by them. I agree, AFTER socialism takes over we can think of a way of using it, but it prevents socialism to take over
Socialism won’t come around because people are thinking about it, but by organizing for it. Social media often spreads anti-capitalist messaging, even if it’s censored, simply due to people feeling the need for it due to capitalist decay.
Social media often spreads anti-capitalist messaging, even if it’s censored, simply due to people feeling the need for it due to capitalist decay.
Can you explain?
Cowbee is right. Technology and its uses are reflective of the societal organization they are created and used within. The effects are downstream of the prime motivations of those who pull the levers at the top.
What you are describing is not necessarily an evil part of technology itself but rather the manifestation of the capitalist class to keep the masses sedated and controlled both to profit off of them and to propagandize them into remaining docile and subservient.
Without owning these apps, or creating an alternative that people use, it is very hard to change anything, because they can manipulate people easily, and actually people became zombies with this much screen usage.
Some would have said the same about capitalist ownership of TV stations late last century and of newspapers and radio before that.
It’s definitely a challenge but ultimately what will likely drive socialism in the west is the collapse of material conditions. You believe the propaganda because you’re comfortable enough to not care to question it. But when things get bad, when quality of life is in the shitter these methods will not be that effective.
Socialist software development like all aspects of the superstructure and base will be driven by who runs things. If the workers run things then we’ll have socialist software development, if the bourgeoisie do then we won’t have it in measurable quantities. Don’t put the cart before the horse.
As to using some of these companies in the event of a socialist government I feel the abusive algorithms would need to be removed first. Some would be shut down because they’re not necessary or just abusive, those that need replacements would be replaced. Google for instance in its search capacity could be replaced.
You believe the propaganda because you’re comfortable enough to not care to question it. But when things get bad, when quality of life is in the shitter these methods will not be that effective.
I mean just how bad does it have to get for people to wake up? Look at America, ICE, the anti-women, anti-trans, anti-gay policies he’s pushing, deportations, etc.
There are alternatives… Just search on “alternatives to”… You are sitting on an alternative. What it lacks, are that people help other people get here…
There’s really no good image-discovery social media platform like X/Insta. I’ve tried a few, and they either lack algos, or have negligible user base, either of which make them useless.
Use FOSS (Lemmy, Linux, GrapheneOS, F-Droid etc.)
