06 - The Future is Dead. Long Live the Future.
Why, hello there. I know it’s bad form to start these things with a mea culpa about why the latest edition has taken so long, but, c’mon, it’s been….*squints at computer* FUCK over a year?! since the last one of these. Sooooooo, thanks for sticking around and not unsubscribing?
I won’t go into much detail, unless people are clamoring for it, but, it all culminated with me getting a nerve stimulator implant (AKA my taser implant) installed about a month ago, which has been helping tremendously with my chronic pain, allowing me to think and start feeling human again.
A Future For Who, Exactly?
Something I’ve been contemplating quite a bit over the last few months is the bastardization and full-on co-opting “futurist” by the technocracy. There’s always been some push-pull between technocapitalists and futurists concerned with everyone, not just the chosen few. However, in the last year, it feels like the needle has swung way in the direction of the elite. Not a week goes by I don’t see another prophet of trickle-down technomics trying to con us all into believing the current founder-focused economy is our true savior, if we’d just go full Ayn Rand and let the founderbros roam free and unrestricted.
Now, while I don’t condone it, I do understand the decision to side with the empire. After all, that’s where the money is. Speaking engagements, book deals, on-staff gigs at large companies, can all be yours if you’re willing to say what these folks want to hear. “Having 10,000+ ‘freelance’ employees is good for them and good for the economy and for them.” “Who cares if your new [shiny object] can save lives, it’ll trickle down to everyone else eventually”. BOOM! All the monies. It’s an attractive gig. Unfortunately, it leads to the situation we find ourselves in now. Inequalities of every shape and color in nearly every startup. The gig economy. The slavish, cult-like devotion to the almighty “Disruption.”
To my mind, a true futurist wants a better future for (novel thought), everyone. How can we improve the life of EVERYONE, not just those at the top 10% of the economic strata, but for those disadvantaged in our current society. The most amazing transformative tech is meaningless if most of us can’t actually take advantage of it. In a lot of ways, it’s a true blending of tech and philosophy, with a healthy dash of sociology for good measure. This kind of thinking is things get better.
And lemme be clear, I’m not claiming to have all the answers. What I do know is self-identifying as a futurist right now just feels kinda gross. Six months or a year ago? Bring it on, let’s make the future happen! But now? While i’m still fighting for the future with every ounce of my being, the word “futurist” is gone. Either we'll figure out how to reclaim the term, or more likely, those of us working toward an ethical future for everyone will land on an even better term. Until then, Supervillain cyborg will have to do.
</rant>
Apple: Purveyor of Overpriced Phones and Fine Dad Rock
I’ll be honest, I’m still processing Apple’s “pay with your face” nonsense from yesterday. If you want hottakes, i’m on twitter, like, always. Start here and scroll up for my quick thoughts on the tech. I want to do more research before I write a ton on the subject (though the legal implications of biometrics are terrifying even before this.
Give Yourself a Break
Shut Up comment blocker - I was talking with a coworker about how turrible YouTube comments sections are, and turns out he’d never heard of this wonderful little plugin. With a simply click BOOM the cesspool of the internet disappears. Not just on YT, but basically every website with comments ever. It's.....beautiful. There’s even an iOS app for mental health breaks on the go. Even better, it seems that they’re committed to privacy, and the only phoning home Shut Up will ever do is for updated versions of the base script.
Food for Your Brainmeats (books, tv, movies, etc…)
- The Kill Society (Sandman Slim #9), Richard Kadrey - “What if Mad Max: Fury Road took place in Hell? (or at least Hell-adjacent?)” Honestly, I shouldn’t have to say anything else, but if you insist: this is for reals one of my favorite book series. You could loosely call it “urban fantasy” but it’s far more stabby and gritty than anything else I’ve read in that genre. Every time you think Kadrey has pushed Stark as far as he can go, you get to the next book and find out, nope, things can definitely get worse, in the most delightful way.
- The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, Mark Manson - Oddly enough, a book my therapist suggested (yeah, that’s pretty dope). While Manson doesn’t say anything remarkably new, the manner in which it’s said (lots of swears) and the concept of still giving a fuck, but giving the *right* fuck, has been huge for me. If nothing else, read the first few chapters.
Alright, that got long, thanks for staying; ‘till next time.