Technology Organizing. Computer Communication Tendencies

Technology Organizing

Computer Communication Tendencies

Computer Communication Tendencies

Decentralization

Computer Communication Tendencies

Decentralization Customization

Computer Communication Tendencies

Decentralization Customization Linkages made fragile and temporary

Computer Communication Tendencies

Decentralization Customization Linkages made fragile and temporary Hardware translated to software

Computer Communication Tendencies

Decentralization Customization Linkages made fragile and temporary Hardware translated to software

• everything is connected

Computer Communication Tendencies

Decentralization Customization Linkages made fragile and temporary Hardware translated to software

• everything is connected A new biological metaphor

Computer Communication Effects

Computer Communication Effects

De-industrialization

Computer Communication Effects

De-industrialization Globalization

Computer Communication Effects

De-industrialization Globalization Virtual Companies

Computer Communication Effects

De-industrialization Globalization Virtual Companies Dynamic Employer-Worker Arrangements

Computer Communication Effects

De-industrialization Globalization Virtual Companies Dynamic Employer-Worker Arrangements Contracting-out

Computer Communication Effects

Workplace Education

Computer Communication Effects

The Imaginary Workplace

Computer Communication Effects

The Imaginary WorkplaceA workplace of unlimited resources

Computer Communication Effects

The Imaginary WorkplaceA workplace of unlimited resources

based on creativity

Computer Communication Effects

The Imaginary WorkplaceA workplace of unlimited resources

based on creativity

which can produce full employment

Computer Communication Effects

The Imaginary WorkplaceA workplace of unlimited resources

based on creativity

which can produce full employment

and is predicated on democracy in the workplace.

Computer Communication Effects

Education in the Imaginary Workplace

Computer Communication Effects

Education in the Imaginary Workplace• workers become L’earners

Computer Communication Effects

Education in the Imaginary Workplace• workers become L’earners • life-long training and education

Computer Communication Effects

Education in the Imaginary Workplace• workers become L’earners • life-long training and education• computer-based distance education

Computer Communication Effects

Education in the Imaginary Workplace• workers become L’earners • life-long training and education• computer-based distance education• more private educational activity than public

Predicting Technologies

Predicting Technologies

Entertainment and toy industry

Predicting Technologies

Entertainment and toy industry Corporate existence

Predicting Technologies

Entertainment and toy industry Corporate existence Democratic communities

Predicting Technologies

Entertainment and toy industry Corporate existence Democratic communities

• The Internet

Predicting Technologies

Entertainment and toy industry Corporate existence Democratic communities

• The Internet• Linux

Predicting Technologies

A period of rapid change

Predicting Technologies

A period of rapid change• The ‘90s Gold Rush

Predicting Technologies

A period of rapid change• The ‘90s Gold Rush• Fast change means societies are easily deflected

Predicting Technologies

A period of rapid change• The ‘90s Gold Rush• Fast change means societies are easily deflected• Same arguments for laissez-faire capitalism

Predicting Technologies

A period of rapid change• The ‘90s Gold Rush• Fast change means societies are easily deflected• Same arguments for laissez-faire capitalism• We have to learn how to confront change

Predicting Technologies

The technologies which exists today

Predicting Technologies

The technologies which exists today are hazy prototypes of what will appear tomorrow.

The Internet will disappear.

Speaking of the “Internet” in 2002

is like speaking about the “Electricity” in 1902.

The Internet

The Internet is an enabling, multi-purpose technology.

The Internet

The Internet is an enabling, multi-purpose technology.

This means many more technologies are headed our way.

The Internet

The book enabled:

The Internet

The book enabled:• Literacy• Grammar• The Reformation• National borders• Capital markets• The Industrial Revolution• Unions

The Internet

Electricity spawned:

The Internet

Electricity spawned:• Telegraph• Light bulb• Telephone• Movies• Radio• TV

What will the Internet bring?

We are not building the Internet.

We are buildinga new

Electronic Society.

Will unions be part of this

New Electronic Society?

Will unions be part of this

New Electronic Society?

Yes. If they participate in the design of new technologies.

Engineering Definition of Technology:

Engineering Definition of Technology:

Technologies are tools used to solve problems

An Organizer’s Definition of Technology:

An Organizer’s Definition of Technology:

Technologies are toolsused by

groups of peopleto solve problems.

Technology Organizing

Technology Organizingis

the bringing together of people and toolsto solve problems

Technology Organizingis

the bringing together of people and toolsto solve problems

and uncover democratic potentialities

in technologies.

The technological infrastructure present today is the result of choices made by decision-

makers.

All technologies have within them multiple potentialities.

It is the job of the technology organizer

to help uncover democratic potentialities in technologies

and point to an alternative civilization.

Purpose of Technology Organizing:

To help people involved in technological communities to

gain a sense of their power and uncover democratic potentialities

How?

How?

By training technology organizers in workplaces, unions and

communities.

Technology Organizer Trainingincludes:

Participatory Design principles Technological forecasting Understanding existing technologies People-organizing techniques

Technology Organizersfight for

technological rights.

Technological Rights include:

Being involved in the design of technologies in the workplace.

Privacy - no email or telephone monitoring. Training in the use of workplace

technologies. Health and safety protection --

- especially stress. Participation in publically-funded research

One of the most important jobs of

the Technology Organizer is to learn general lessons from

the application of one technology to be applied to the

next new technology.

Electronic Unions

Electronic Unions

Local unions created for particular projects Based on actors unions? Organize knowledge workers Give away customized information Workers’ electronic help desks Pensions for all workers

• hourly accumulation

Electronic Unions

Direct, customized relations with members Share instructors between unions for distance

education Build databases of information on employers Directories of activists by interests and activities Hypertext contracts with rationales and history for

all current and desired clauses

Electronic Unions

Strengthen International Organizations:• ICFTU• Global Unions: PSI, IMF, and others • International Labour Organization and

the ILO’s Workers’ Bureau (ACTRAV)

Electronic Unions

Grand Projects

Electronic Unions

Grand Projects• International Labour College

Electronic Unions

Grand Projects• International Labour College• The Crystal Labour Encyclopedia

Electronic Unions

Grand Projects• International Labour College• The Crystal Labour Encyclopedia• The Internet CourseReader

The Internet CourseReader

An educational computer communications program

The Internet CourseReader

An educational computer communications program Designed by unionists for group work

The Internet CourseReader

An educational computer communications program Designed by unionists for group work Helps solves problems due to:

• High Internet costs

• Undependable electricity

• Expensive telephone connections

The Internet CourseReader

The Internet CourseReader

The Internet CourseReader

Internet

The Internet CourseReader

Internet

The Internet CourseReader

Internet

The Internet CourseReader

The Internet CourseReader

Internet

The Internet CourseReader

Internet

The Internet CourseReader

Internet

The Internet CourseReader

Internet

The Internet CourseReader

Internet

The Internet CourseReader

The Internet CourseReader

Internet

The Internet CourseReader

Internet

The Internet CourseReader

Internet

The Internet CourseReader

The Internet CourseReader

Developed as “Open Source” Software

The Internet CourseReader

Developed as “Open Source” Software Free of charge

The Internet CourseReader

Developed as “Open Source” Software Free of charge “Source Code” available for programmers

The Internet CourseReader

Developed as “Open Source” Software Free of charge “Source Code” available for programmers Translatable

The Internet CourseReader

Developed as “Open Source” Software Free of charge “Source Code” available for programmers Translatable Freely distributable

The Internet CourseReader

Developed as “Open Source” Software Free of charge “Source Code” available for programmers Translatable Freely distributable Foundation of an international

union-owned, union-designed educational computer communications network

What’s YOUR Project?

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