πŸ“š node [[liberatory technology]]

Liberatory technology

As a statement: [[Technology should be liberatory]].

So what is liberatory technology?

I think the specific phrase was coined by [[Murray Bookchin]]. Certainly espoused by Bookchin. For example in [[Towards a Liberatory Technology]].

I suppose a big piece of the definition is, what is your definition of [[liberation]]?

From reading Towards a Liberatory Technology, the vibe I get is:

  • technology should reduce toil
  • technology should function in harmony with nature
  • technology should facilitate community and reduce [[alienation]]

I'm down with all of that.

I mean in some senses that makes me think of [[doughnut economics]] - helping to meet social foundation while staying within ecological boundaries. A liberatory technology would be one that keeps us in the doughnut.

Liberatory technology as per Bookchin, I think, has the extra additional proviso of small scale, localised, and decentralised. I'm fine with that too - but I imagine it's probably the area that would have the most contention. As in - reducing toil, not wrecking the planet, I imagine most people can get on board with that. Whether you can succeed best with decentralisation or state coordination you're going to get discussion.

Technology would be used for the purpose of eliminating toil and drudgery, and labor-saving techniques would be applied so as to minimize the amount of necessary work for everyone.

– Communalism Pamplet

Liberatory technology would facilitate [[Unemployment for all]], you (a [[Dadaist]]) might say.

Examples

Bookchin discusses alternative and [[renewable energy]] a lot in [[Towards a Liberatory Technology]]. As well as technologies that facilitate local, decentralised agriculture.

The [[Communalism Pamphlet]] goes in to a bit of detail on ways technology could be liberatory with regards to:

  • manufacturing
  • mining
  • agriculture
  • energy

See also

β₯… node [[convivial-tools]] pulled by user

Convivial tools

Described by [[Ivan Illich]] in his book [[Tools for Conviviality]].

My initial thoughts: sounds good.

The most notable critique I have come across so far is Bookchin (via Evgeny Morozov): "It didn’t make sense to speak of β€œconvivial tools,” he argued, without taking a close look at the political and social structures in which they were embedded"

In Free, Fair and Alive they extend the notion to technologies, infrastructures and processes for provisioning.

Agency and interdependence

In FFA they suggest that convivial tools are about that sweet sweet mix of individual agency with communal interdependence.

Using convivial tools is about enhancing our individual freedom while enriching our relationships and interdependence

– [[Free, Fair and Alive]]

In Tools for Conviviality, Ivan Illich describes a kind of tool that is shared in common, and which expands personal creative freedom and communal interdependence.

– [[Building a Second Subconscious]]

Openness and access

A tool is convivial if people have access to the design and knowledge needed to create it; if it allows creative adpatation to one's own circumstances and if it is appropriate in the specific local context. (Are suitable materials and skills available? Is it compatible with the local landscape and culture?)

– [[Free, Fair and Alive]]

In our times, open source tools and technologies are convivial tools with great potential for Provisioning through Commons because users can determine how they will be used.

– [[Free, Fair and Alive]]

convivial tools are open-ended systems that anyone can use and adapt for their own purposes

– [[Free, Fair and Alive]]

Characteristics of convivial tools

The characteristics of convivial tools are those which enhance the user's capability to work with independent efficiency. A fairly comprehensive list might include the following characteristics:

  • Usability
  • Intuitive Use
  • Reliability
  • Reparability
  • Durability
  • Ergonomics
  • Simplicity
  • Robustness
  • Open access
  • Modularity
  • Recyclability
  • Environmental friendliness
  • Social friendliness
  • Promotion of autonomy
  • Full service
  • Eutrapelia

– 1 The Characteristics of Convivial Tools - Convivial Tools:

See the [[Matrix of Convivial Technology]].

Examples of convivial tools

Bicycles, libraries, and sewing machines can all be convivial tools.

– [[Building a Second Subconscious]]

  • bicycles
  • libraries
  • sewing machines

Convivial tools and commoning

[[Use Convivial Tools]] is one of the patterns for commoning in [[Free, Fair and Alive]]. In the [[Provisioning Through Commons]] group of patterns.

Criticisms

The most notable critique I have come across so far is from [[Murray Bookchin]] (via [[Evgeny Morozov]]):

It didn’t make sense to speak of β€œconvivial tools,” he argued, without taking a close look at the political and social structures in which they were embedded

See [[Comparing liberatory technology and convivial tools]].

Comments

He didn't mean tools in the current software sense: discrete apps that perform defined tech functions. He meant something more like 'institutions' - public or popular healthcare, public or popular education, civic decision making, etc etc. Such practices are typically carried out thro some alliance of the State and professionalised elites. His critique thus has a similar basis to Bookchin's

– https://social.coop/@mike_hales/107277225698520917

@mikehales I read the book, and actually understood it that it could apply to tools as simple as a hammer (and therefore software tools too) and that we can also look at institutions as a form of "tool" too. This is nice in that we can apply a more coherent philosophy across the whole range.

– https://social.coop/@nicksellen/107279966680322155

Yes I think that's right Nick. the concept can stretch over that scope. I think the important thing not to lose from Illich is that social relations, power relations, class relations are part of the construction and positioning and mobilising of a tool, small-and artefactual or massive-and-institutional?

– https://social.coop/@mike_hales/107280956585380392

Tools should not attempt to control humans by prescribing narrow ways of doing things. Software should not be burdened with encryption and barriers to repair. Convivial tools are designed to unleash personal creativity and autonomy.

– [[Free, Fair and Alive]]

πŸ“– stoas
β₯± context
β₯… related node [[comparing liberatory technology and appropriate technology]]
β₯… related node [[comparing liberatory technology and convivial tools]]
β₯… related node [[towards a liberatory technology]]