Reclaiming Agency in the Tech Era

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This chapter examines the relationship between individuals and the tech industry, urging a departure from the conventional startup culture fixated on wealth. It advocates for reclaiming personal agency and prioritizing community engagement through grassroots initiatives, such as community gardening and DIY projects. The discussion critiques the capitalist underpinnings of major tech corporations and emphasizes the need for collective action to foster a sustainable and equitable future.

Paris Marx is joined by Chris Carlsson to discuss Processed World, a tech-critical, anti-capitalist magazine that satirized the absurdity of work in its publishing run between 1981 and 2005.

Chris Carlsson is the author of many books, including most recently When Shells Crumble. He’s the director of Shaping SF and a cofounder of Critical Mass. He was also one of the people behind Processed World.

Tech Won’t Save Us offers a critical perspective on tech, its worldview, and wider society with the goal of inspiring people to demand better tech and a better world. Support the show on Patreon.

The podcast is made in partnership with The Nation. Production is by Eric Wickham. Transcripts are by Brigitte Pawliw-Fry.

Also mentioned in this episode:

You can find the full archive of Processed World on the Internet Archive.
Chris wrote about his experience making Processed World in Notes from Below.
Jacob Silverman wrote a great piece on the legacy of Processed World for The Baffler.

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