Tech Won't Save Us

How Degrowth Will Reshape Technology w/ Jason Hickel

Jun 27, 2024

Jason Hickel discusses how technology in a degrowth society would prioritize collective welfare over profit. They explore the urgent need for sustainable production and the contrasting approaches of green growth vs. degrowth scenarios. The conversation highlights challenges in decarbonization, rethinking production for a democratic economy, and addressing global North-South disparities in energy consumption.

56:58

Episode guests

Jason Hickel

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Quick takeaways

Democratic control over technology in a degrowth society aligns production with social needs.

Degrowth advocates prioritize technology for societal well-being over corporate profits.

Shifting towards a degrowth society requires reevaluating measures of progress and promoting ecologically beneficial production.

Deep dives

Promoting Democratic Control Over Investment and Production

Organizing productive forces democratically is essential for a proper democratic economy. This involves giving democratic control over investment and production to the people, which would allow for the reorganization of production in a way that aligns with social priorities and needs.

Discussion on the Dual Approach Needed for Sustainable Transport and Technology

02:25

Exploring the Flaws of Pursuing Economic Growth and Profit Maximization

04:53

Addressing Climate Change, Social Needs, and Economic Growth through Degrowth Principles

03:12

Exploring the Impact of Technology on Energy Consumption and Sustainability

03:00

Intro

4min

Exploring the Concept of Degrowth and Sustainable Production

3min

Exploring Contrasting Approaches to Technology in Green Growth vs. Degrowth Scenarios

5min

Challenges in Decarbonization and Economic Growth

24min

Rethinking Production for a Democratic Economy

16min

Global Justice and Degrowth in the Context of Global North and South

5min

Paris Marx is joined by Jason Hickel to discuss how technology would change in a degrowth society and why it doesn’t make sense to organize society around profit and infinite expansion.

Jason Hickel is the author of Less Is More: How Degrowth Will Save the World. He’s also a Professor at the Institute for Environmental Science and Technology at the Autonomous University of Barcelona and a Visiting Senior Fellow at the International Inequalities Institute at the London School of Economics.

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.

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