Abstract
This paper analyses the relationship between capitalism, technology, and design. Technological advances have always had a very strong impact on design and society. However, although technology-propelled changes in social structures do exist (for example the industrial revolution and the consolidation of the bourgeoisie as the ruling class), technology often reaffirms and exacerbate existing social orders. On of the most salient features of capitalism is its ability to reformulate itself, adapting to changes and being able not only to maintain its basic structures. It is in this way that in the restructuring of capitalism that took place in the 70s, the new information and communication technologies played a fundamental role, allowing capitalism to include the possibility of an economy based on knowledge. In this new economy, knowledge not only plays a fundamental role but also becomes an exchange currency. After the crisis of labour, a new iteration of capitalism appeared: cognitive capitalism reedits existing structures, forcing an operation that protects them. Thus, if ownership of the means of production has traditionally been the key to placing oneself in a dominant position, in cognitive capitalism it is the control of knowledge that plays a fundamental role. The design practice has tried to reacted proposing alternative solutions, however, we argue that the forceful taming dynamics of cognitive capitalism have homogeneized contemporary design languages. We end by proposing that design can subvert this by appropriating the scientific and technological knowledge and creating new, original, design languages that escape the endogamic dynamics of utilitarian problem-solving.
Presenters
Tomas LaurenzoAssociate Professor of Critical Media Practices, College of Media, Communication and Information, University of Colorado Boulder, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
2019 Special Focus: Design + Context
KEYWORDS
capitalism design appopriation
Digital Media
This presenter hasn’t added media.
Request media and follow this presentation.
