Technology Organizing. Computer Communication Tendencies

Technology Organizing

Computer Communication Tendencies


Decentralization


Decentralization Customization


Decentralization Customization Linkages made fragile and temporary


Decentralization Customization Linkages made fragile and temporary Hardware translated to software



• everything is connected



• everything is connected A new biological metaphor

Computer Communication Effects


De-industrialization


De-industrialization Globalization


De-industrialization Globalization Virtual Companies


De-industrialization Globalization Virtual Companies Dynamic Employer-Worker Arrangements


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


Workplace Education


The Imaginary Workplace


The Imaginary WorkplaceA workplace of unlimited resources



based on creativity



based on creativity

which can produce full employment



based on creativity

which can produce full employment

and is predicated on democracy in the workplace.


Education in the Imaginary Workplace


Education in the Imaginary Workplace• workers become L’earners


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


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


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


Entertainment and toy industry


Entertainment and toy industry Corporate existence


Entertainment and toy industry Corporate existence Democratic communities



• The Internet



• The Internet• Linux


A period of rapid change


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


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


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


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


The technologies which exists today


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


An educational computer communications program Designed by unionists for group work


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

• High Internet costs

• Undependable electricity

• Expensive telephone connections




Internet


Internet


Internet



Internet


Internet


Internet


Internet


Internet



Internet


Internet


Internet



Developed as “Open Source” Software


Developed as “Open Source” Software Free of charge


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


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


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


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?

SolidarityForever

Documents

Technology Organizing. Computer Communication Tendencies