Techno Feudalism and The Tragedy of the Commons
An open discussion with William Kherbek, held by Emma Gradin, Sofa Gradin, and other guests.
Res. 50 Resolution Way. SE8 4EL
Tuesday 29th November. 19:00
"If communication prevents tragedies of the commons from emerging, why then, in an age in which connections across borders and cultures are easier to make than ever before, and tweeples of all sorts drive social change via hashtags, are we not enjoying an age of environmentally conscious, human-sized growth directed by communities working in common to preserve the commonwealth of the planet?" - Kherbek, 2016.
In this open conversation, William Kherbek, author of the essay Techno Feudalism and The Tragedy of the Commons will be discussing ideas in the text, with Emma Gradin, Sofa Gradin and other guests.
'Techno Feudalism...' is published in issue 1 of Doggerland Journal, 2016. The text introduces political economist Elinor Ostrom's revision of the tragedy of the commons, and how 'techno-feudal' corporations like Airbnb and Uber could be resisted, regulated or even overthrown via an enlightened techno-society. The short essay acknowledges that not all tragedies of the commons are inevitable, however, considers some of the limitations this generation faces being so deeply entrenched within a neoliberal and precarious situation.
Drinks and snacks available
William Kherbek is the writer of the novels Ecology of Secrets and UltraLife (Arcadia Missa). His writing has appeared in a wide range of publications throughout the US and Europe.
Emma Gradin is an independent curator and research student at Chelsea College of Art developing and deploying curatorial strategies founded on extended states of not-knowing and creative suspension in the current context of time-shortness and accelerated productivity/consumption.
Sofa Gradin is a lecturer in Politics and a social movement organiser working on alternatives to capitalism, racism and patriarchy.
