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?
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.
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.
Can you explain?
As an example, people will express frustration with Musk, Trump, etc. on social media. This is due to real frustrations in current events, driven by real conditions in late-stage capitalism, and because these feelings are common they are shared and boosted.