Colonialism, with Ulises A. Mejias and Nick Couldry
Jan 6, 2025
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Ulises A. Mejias, a communication studies professor and co-author of "Data Grab: The New Colonialism of Big Tech," and Nick Couldry from the London School of Economics, delve into the alarming ties between data colonialism and capitalism. They discuss how modern tech mirrors historical exploitations and how big corporations perpetuate systemic discrimination. The conversation shifts toward resistance strategies, emphasizing universities as critical spaces for activism and the need to equip students with critical thinking skills against corporate influences.
The podcast emphasizes that data colonialism and capitalism are interdependent, with exploitation stemming from the normalization of data as a cheap resource.
It highlights the ethical concerns surrounding emerging technologies like chatbots and deepfakes, which complicate identity and representation in our digital interactions.
The conversation underscores the need for multi-faceted resistance against data colonialism, advocating for political activism and narrative expansion to challenge existing power structures.
Deep dives
Exploring Digital Humans and Data
The conversation delves into the increasing significance of living in a data-driven world, particularly focusing on the emergence of digital humans. This encompasses technologies such as chatbots, holograms, and deepfakes, which challenge our perceptions of reality and interaction. These digital entities complicate our understanding of identity and representation in the digital landscape. The implications of these technologies raise pressing questions about their ethical use and the potential consequences for human connections.
The Intersection of Data Colonialism and Capitalism
The discussion centers around the relationship between data colonialism and capitalism, asserting that one cannot exist without the other. Data is treated as a cheap resource, leading to the exploitation of human lives and resources in a manner reminiscent of historic colonial practices. The partnership between big tech companies and governmental institutions contributes to a new era of data colonialism, where extraction and exploitation are normalized. Examples include corporations extracting data and resources from communities while partnering with governments to further their agenda.
Continuity and Distinction in Colonialism
A critical distinction is made between traditional colonialism and contemporary data colonialism, articulating that while both are exploitative, they manifest differently. Historical colonialism involved physical land and resources, whereas data colonialism utilizes digital data as its primary resource, leading to new forms of extraction. The speakers stress that understanding this continuity is vital for framing current discussions on power dynamics in the digital age. Recognizing these differences allows for a more nuanced analysis of the socio-political implications of data utilization in society.
Racism and Discrimination in Data Practices
The conversation highlights the role of racism in the implementation of algorithms and AI technologies, emphasizing that certain populations bear the brunt of data colonialism. Instances of bias in facial recognition and algorithmic decision-making disproportionately affect marginalized groups, revealing the intersectionality of race, gender, and class in these systems. The speakers argue that these discriminatory practices are tied to a historical legacy of colonialism that continues to impact communities today. Acknowledging these disparities is crucial for developing equitable technological solutions and resisting systemic injustices.
Resistance and Future Directions
The discussion concludes by emphasizing the importance of resistance to data colonialism through a multi-faceted approach that involves working within, against, and beyond the current systems. Engagement in political activism and corporate dissent is seen as vital for enacting change and holding tech companies accountable. Additionally, expanding narratives that challenge the status quo is essential for fostering imagination and envisioning alternative futures. The conversation underscores the urgency of collaborative efforts to create spaces for dialogue and action against the deleterious impacts of data extraction.
I start the new year with an episode on "data colonialism". I had the great pleasure of speaking with Ulises A. Mejias and Nick Couldry about our contemporary relationship to corporations, about the idea that there’s no capitalism without colonialism (and vice versa), about how human lives are being exploited these days, and about data being a cheap resource. Recorded December 16, 2024. Released January 6, 2025.
Data Grab: The New Colonialism of Big Tech and How to Fight Back
