LECTURE THREE: LECTURE THREE:

MULTIMEDIA AND POLITICSMULTIMEDIA AND POLITICS

The main focus of The main focus of today’s lecture is to:today’s lecture is to: Identify the “bookends” of the Identify the “bookends” of the

argumentargument Give you a vocabulary for Give you a vocabulary for

discussiondiscussion Provide a framework for your Provide a framework for your

professional practiceprofessional practice Educate you in passingEducate you in passing

THE IDEAL SPEECH THE IDEAL SPEECH SITUATION OF JURGEN SITUATION OF JURGEN HABERMAS:HABERMAS: Every subject with the competence to speak and act is Every subject with the competence to speak and act is

allowed to take part in a discourse.allowed to take part in a discourse. Everyone is allowed to question any assertion Everyone is allowed to question any assertion

whatsoever.whatsoever. Everyone is allowed to introduce any assertion Everyone is allowed to introduce any assertion

whatsoever into the discoursewhatsoever into the discourse Everyone is allowed to express his attitudes, desires Everyone is allowed to express his attitudes, desires

and needs.and needs. No speaker may be prevented, by internal or external No speaker may be prevented, by internal or external

coercion, from exercising his rights as laid down coercion, from exercising his rights as laid down above. above.

(Paraphrase – Disckursethik, 86) in: (Ess, 243)(Paraphrase – Disckursethik, 86) in: (Ess, 243)

Compare and contrast with:Compare and contrast with:

The MatrixThe Matrix PanopticonPanopticon Plato’s CavePlato’s Cave The SpectacleThe Spectacle George Orwell’s 1984George Orwell’s 1984

GEORGE ORWELL’S 1984GEORGE ORWELL’S 1984

The world is split into three The world is split into three competing Super states or powers competing Super states or powers who are constantly at war, who are constantly at war, shifting alliances when it suits shifting alliances when it suits them. All of these Super states them. All of these Super states are police states and keep their are police states and keep their citizens in check by means of citizens in check by means of propaganda and brutal repression.propaganda and brutal repression.

There are four main There are four main inversionsinversions LOVE IS HATELOVE IS HATE WAR IS PEACEWAR IS PEACE WORK IS JOYWORK IS JOY IGNORANCE IS STRENGTHIGNORANCE IS STRENGTH

Along with these Along with these slogans there was…slogans there was…

…………the death of and systematic the death of and systematic rewriting of history, the love of rewriting of history, the love of Big Brother and hatred of Big Brother and hatred of Goldstein, and the use and Goldstein, and the use and promotion of Double Speak where promotion of Double Speak where such phrases as Good, un-good, such phrases as Good, un-good, double plus good, and double plus double plus good, and double plus un-good came into use.un-good came into use.

Orwell maintained that a Orwell maintained that a repressive regime would repressive regime would destroy language and memorydestroy language and memory

It all sounds a bit like the sort of It all sounds a bit like the sort of teen jargon used in SMS teen jargon used in SMS abbreviations, chat room abbreviations, chat room emoticons emoticons

Or alternatively like the half Or alternatively like the half Russian lingo created by Russian lingo created by subliminal propaganda in subliminal propaganda in A A Clockwork OrangeClockwork Orange..

Ponder though the technology of Ponder though the technology of availability and access. What does availability and access. What does this do to memory and analysis?this do to memory and analysis?

““If you want a picture of the If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face … forever.”on a human face … forever.”

Dorothy Kidd in turn tells us not to Dorothy Kidd in turn tells us not to hate the media but to become the hate the media but to become the mediamedia

How do web sites like How do web sites like indymedia.com stack up against indymedia.com stack up against the weight of bias that comes the weight of bias that comes across from conventional news across from conventional news stations which as Michael Moore stations which as Michael Moore reminds us, are owned by reminds us, are owned by corporations?corporations?

We should be wary of We should be wary of simple polarities in today’s simple polarities in today’s complex political complex political environment:environment: There is the leftThere is the left And there is the rightAnd there is the right And there are libertariansAnd there are libertarians Not to mention anarchistsNot to mention anarchists There are even libertarian There are even libertarian

anarchistsanarchists

Kidd tells us that:Kidd tells us that:

“… “… the Seattle IMC drew from the the Seattle IMC drew from the technical expertise and resources of technical expertise and resources of computer programmers, many of whom computer programmers, many of whom came from the open source movement. came from the open source movement. While Bill Gates of Microsoft played a While Bill Gates of Microsoft played a major role in bringing the WTO to Seattle, major role in bringing the WTO to Seattle, Rob Glaser who made his millions at Rob Glaser who made his millions at Microsoft, donated technical support and Microsoft, donated technical support and expertise ….to the indymedia site.” expertise ….to the indymedia site.” (Kidd, 50)(Kidd, 50)

Kidd also draws our attention to Kidd also draws our attention to lessons that can be learnt from lessons that can be learnt from commons and enclosures:commons and enclosures:

“ … “ … important parallels between important parallels between the first enclosures of the English the first enclosures of the English feudal commons which lead to the feudal commons which lead to the gradual transformation to gradual transformation to capitalism and European capitalism and European imperialism and the continuing imperialism and the continuing colonisation and exploitation of colonisation and exploitation of shared resources throughout the shared resources throughout the world. (Kidd, 52)world. (Kidd, 52)

Kidd goes on to assert Kidd goes on to assert that:that: We are now at the center of We are now at the center of

another grand transformation, another grand transformation, from an economy dominated by from an economy dominated by industrial production to one in industrial production to one in which information and digital which information and digital knowledge play a key role in knowledge play a key role in production, distribution and production, distribution and circulation. (Kidd, 54) circulation. (Kidd, 54)

Basically Kidd’s Basically Kidd’s position is that:position is that: We have to preserve any area of We have to preserve any area of

common engagement, any common engagement, any “commons” for the public good.“commons” for the public good.

This includes parks, reserves, This includes parks, reserves, municipal facilities etc. municipal facilities etc.

Rheingold is more Rheingold is more celebratory. He tells us celebratory. He tells us that:that: Smart mobs consist of people Smart mobs consist of people

who are able to act in concert who are able to act in concert even if they don’t know each even if they don’t know each other. (Rheingold, xii)other. (Rheingold, xii)

Rheingold reminds us that for any Rheingold reminds us that for any social arrangement to work there social arrangement to work there must be a social contract however must be a social contract however rudimentary:rudimentary: ““Although it will take a decade to Although it will take a decade to

ramp up, mobile communications ramp up, mobile communications and pervasive computing and pervasive computing technologies together with social technologies together with social contracts that were never possible contracts that were never possible before, are already beginning to before, are already beginning to change the way people meet, change the way people meet, mate, work, fight, buy, sell, govern mate, work, fight, buy, sell, govern and create.” (Rheingold Xiii)and create.” (Rheingold Xiii)

Rheingold has mentioned Rheingold has mentioned a key phrase: “social a key phrase: “social contract”contract” Rousseau – Noble SavageRousseau – Noble Savage Hobbes – LeviathanHobbes – Leviathan Locke – Social ContractLocke – Social Contract

I gave you Rheingold’s introduction, I gave you Rheingold’s introduction, I wish I could have given you the I wish I could have given you the whole book! Go out and buy it!whole book! Go out and buy it!

His first chapter is called His first chapter is called Shimbuya epiphanyShimbuya epiphany

His second is called “Technologies His second is called “Technologies of Cooperation”of Cooperation”

In this second chapter, In this second chapter, Rheingold explores:Rheingold explores: Collective action and the public Collective action and the public

goodgood Social network capital, knowledge Social network capital, knowledge

capital and communion (R, 30)capital and communion (R, 30) ““More people pooling resources in More people pooling resources in

new ways is the history of new ways is the history of civilisation in …. seven words” (R, civilisation in …. seven words” (R, 31) (Quoting Marc Smith) 31) (Quoting Marc Smith)

Rheingold over views the work of Rheingold over views the work of another important sociologist:another important sociologist:

““In 1990, sociologist Elinor In 1990, sociologist Elinor Ostrom argued that external Ostrom argued that external authorities might not be authorities might not be necessary in governing what she necessary in governing what she called common pool resources.” called common pool resources.” (CPRs) (R, 35)(CPRs) (R, 35)

Ostrom found that for self Ostrom found that for self governing communities to work the governing communities to work the following conditions must prevail:following conditions must prevail:

Group boundaries clearly definedGroup boundaries clearly defined Rules governing the collective use of goods are well Rules governing the collective use of goods are well

matched to local needs and conditionsmatched to local needs and conditions Most individuals affected by these rules can participate in Most individuals affected by these rules can participate in

modifying the rulesmodifying the rules The rights of community members to devise their own rules The rights of community members to devise their own rules

is respected by external authorities. A system for monitoring is respected by external authorities. A system for monitoring member’s behaviour existsmember’s behaviour exists

A graduated system of sanctions is usedA graduated system of sanctions is used Community members have access to low cost conflict Community members have access to low cost conflict

resolution mechanismsresolution mechanisms For CPRs that are parts of larger systems, appropriation, For CPRs that are parts of larger systems, appropriation,

provision, monitoring, enforcement, conflict resolution and provision, monitoring, enforcement, conflict resolution and governance activities are organised in multiple layers of governance activities are organised in multiple layers of nested enterprises. nested enterprises.

(R, 35-36 a close paraphrase) (R, 35-36 a close paraphrase)

Another researcher, Another researcher, Charlotte Hess Charlotte Hess suggests:suggests: ““There are centuries of intellectual There are centuries of intellectual

investigations into the nature of investigations into the nature of social interaction social interaction (my italics) [ ] (my italics) [ ] What has remarkably changed in What has remarkably changed in the merging of disciplines, the the merging of disciplines, the methodologies, the international methodologies, the international cooperative approach, and the cooperative approach, and the intentionality of the CPR intentionality of the CPR literature.” (R, 36)literature.” (R, 36)

Rheingold tells us Rheingold tells us that:that: If people start organising new If people start organising new

forms of collective action through forms of collective action through the use of wireless devices, such the use of wireless devices, such theories as Ostrom’s might help theories as Ostrom’s might help make sense of what we’ll see make sense of what we’ll see around us. (R, 37)around us. (R, 37)

Rheingold’s argument Rheingold’s argument continues:continues: Kropotkin versus DarwinKropotkin versus Darwin Stephen J. Gould on symbiosisStephen J. Gould on symbiosis Marine biologist George Williams on social Marine biologist George Williams on social

insectsinsects Covenants and social contract by Hobbes, Covenants and social contract by Hobbes,

Locke etcLocke etc Utilitarianism, John Stuart Mill, Jeremy Utilitarianism, John Stuart Mill, Jeremy

Bentham – Australia vs PanopticonBentham – Australia vs Panopticon The importance of game theory to modern The importance of game theory to modern

social contracts –Rawls and the bargaining social contracts –Rawls and the bargaining gamegame

John Von Neuman and John Von Neuman and game theory as modeled game theory as modeled by RAND by RAND Zero sum / heads & tails / MADZero sum / heads & tails / MAD Non zero sumNon zero sum ChickenChicken Stag HuntStag Hunt DeadlockDeadlock Prisoner’s dilemma Prisoner’s dilemma

Non Zero Sum games take the Non Zero Sum games take the following profile and are often used following profile and are often used to model negotiations:to model negotiations:

XX WinWin LoseLose

WinWin W WW W W LW L

LoseLose W LW L L LL L

Game theory is based Game theory is based on several on several assumptions :assumptions : “ … “ … that the players are in conflict, that the players are in conflict,

that they must take action, that the that they must take action, that the results of the actions will determine results of the actions will determine which player wins according to which player wins according to definite rules, and that all players definite rules, and that all players are expected to always act are expected to always act rationally by choosing the strategy rationally by choosing the strategy that will maximise their gain that will maximise their gain regardless of the consequence to regardless of the consequence to others.” (R, 45)others.” (R, 45)

Chicken:Chicken:

Is like the car game Is like the car game Or the game of dare with a Or the game of dare with a

pedestrian and a carpedestrian and a car Closely related to the “Mexican Closely related to the “Mexican

stand off”stand off”

DeadlockDeadlock

Is endless betrayal. Is endless betrayal. Each player refuses to cooperateEach player refuses to cooperate Like North Korea / Saddam etcLike North Korea / Saddam etc

Stag Hunt:Stag Hunt:

“ … “ … was first described by Jean Jacques was first described by Jean Jacques Rousseau in 1755. “If it was matter of Rousseau in 1755. “If it was matter of hunting deer, everyone realises that he must hunting deer, everyone realises that he must faithfully remain at his post, but if a hare faithfully remain at his post, but if a hare happens to pass within reach of one of them, happens to pass within reach of one of them, we cannot doubt that he would have gone off we cannot doubt that he would have gone off in pursuit of it without scruple and, having in pursuit of it without scruple and, having caught his own prey, he would have cared caught his own prey, he would have cared very little about having caused his very little about having caused his companion to lose theirs.” (R, 42)companion to lose theirs.” (R, 42)

= Opportunism and short term ego centered = Opportunism and short term ego centered pragmatismpragmatism

Prisoner’s DilemmaPrisoner’s Dilemma

Two prisoners are held separately Two prisoners are held separately and cannot communicate, they and cannot communicate, they can only guess what the other can only guess what the other prisoner will do.prisoner will do.

Prisoner’s DilemmaPrisoner’s Dilemma

The prisoner who testifies against The prisoner who testifies against his partner will go free and the his partner will go free and the partner will be sentenced to three partner will be sentenced to three years.years.

If both prisoners decided to testify If both prisoners decided to testify against each other they will both against each other they will both get a two year sentenceget a two year sentence

If neither testifies they will both If neither testifies they will both get a one year sentence (R, 42)get a one year sentence (R, 42)

These are the outcomes These are the outcomes to prisoner’s dilemma in to prisoner’s dilemma in terms of years sentence:terms of years sentence:

B B CooperatesCooperates

B DefectsB Defects

A A CooperatesCooperates

2,22,2 0,30,3

A DefectsA Defects 3,03,0 1,11,1

All four of the RAND All four of the RAND social dilemmas are social dilemmas are variations of the same variations of the same model:model: Reverse the sucker and Reverse the sucker and

temptation payoffs and Prisoner’s temptation payoffs and Prisoner’s Dilemma becomes Chicken. Dilemma becomes Chicken.

Switch reward and temptation Switch reward and temptation payoffs and Prisoner’s Dilemma payoffs and Prisoner’s Dilemma becomes Stag Hunt. (R, 43)becomes Stag Hunt. (R, 43)

Robert Axelrod:Robert Axelrod:

… … workshopped repeated workshopped repeated variations and decided that tit for variations and decided that tit for tat was the best overall strategy. tat was the best overall strategy. (R, 44)(R, 44)

What is the application to What is the application to computer mediated interaction?computer mediated interaction?

Stephen Levy’s Stephen Levy’s encapsulation of the encapsulation of the “hacker ethic” is as “hacker ethic” is as follows:follows: Access to computers should be Access to computers should be

unlimited and totalunlimited and total Always yield to the Hands-On Always yield to the Hands-On

imperativeimperative All information should be freeAll information should be free Mistrust authority – promote Mistrust authority – promote

decentralisation (R, 47)decentralisation (R, 47)

To conclude, I give you Manuel To conclude, I give you Manuel Castells commenting on Pekka Castells commenting on Pekka Himanen’s book, ‘The Hacker Ethic’:Himanen’s book, ‘The Hacker Ethic’:

““There are not technological revolutions without There are not technological revolutions without cultural transformation. Revolutionary technologies cultural transformation. Revolutionary technologies have to be thought of. This is not an incremental have to be thought of. This is not an incremental process; it is a vision, an act of belief, a gesture of process; it is a vision, an act of belief, a gesture of rebellion.”rebellion.”

[ ][ ] “ “ Informationalism was partly invented and decisively Informationalism was partly invented and decisively

shaped by a new culture that was essential in the shaped by a new culture that was essential in the development of computer networking, in the development of computer networking, in the distribution of processing capacity, and in the distribution of processing capacity, and in the augmentation of innovation potential by cooperation augmentation of innovation potential by cooperation and sharing.”and sharing.”

[ ][ ] ““This is why Pekka Himanen’s theory of the hacker This is why Pekka Himanen’s theory of the hacker

culture as the spirit of informationalism is a culture as the spirit of informationalism is a fundamental breakthrough …”fundamental breakthrough …”

I also want you to I also want you to consider that much of consider that much of what happens on the what happens on the web is modeled on:web is modeled on: Habermasian ideal speech situationHabermasian ideal speech situation Neuman’s Game theoryNeuman’s Game theory So much of what will happen in the So much of what will happen in the

wireless world may well work that wireless world may well work that way and having a knowledge of the way and having a knowledge of the framework may help you to design framework may help you to design content for multimedia in generalcontent for multimedia in general