Techtonic with Mark Hurst | WFMU Duncan Moench on "soylent screens" and producerism from Jul 14, 2025
Jul 15, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Duncan Moench, a punk philosopher and author of 'Soylent Screens,' delves into the haunting grip of technology on modern life. He critiques the exploitation inherent in the attention economy, highlighting how users are treated as mere resources. Moench contrasts this with the hopeful ideology of producerism, advocating for a return to labor-centered values over wealth. He also explores the concept of analog technologies as a remedy for our distracted existence, offering insights on reclaiming focus in a digitally dominated world.
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Tech Firms Exploit Our Attention
- Silicon Valley's model depends on dividing and enraging people to maximize engagement.
- This constant conflict is a deliberate choice to keep users addicted and distracted from larger exploitation.
Phone Addiction Starts Early
- In NYC subways, nearly everyone is glued to their phones, including toddlers held by their parents.
- This shows how smartphone addiction begins very early, affecting entire family environments.
Liberalism Amplifies Social Alienation
- As liberal society centers on the individual, healthy social experiences break down.
- This causes widespread alienation amplified by addictive individual tech use in both urban and rural areas.
