Future Hi: Hakim Bey's New Found Luddism

August 01, 2004

Hakim Bey's New Found Luddism

Robin Green has written an insightful piece over at Cyborg Democracy about Hakim Bey's current cynical attitudes about technology, the internet, and possibilities of authentic change. I understand Hakim's cynicism all too well. There have been so many disappointments, and so much stupidity in the wake of 9-11. Along with the mass mobilization of centralized corporate and media control, including controlling the internet, it is easy to get depressed about how all these emerging technologies (so far) have done nothing to reverse the tide towards facism.

Hakim Bey (aka Peter Lamborn Wilson) has obviously become quite depressed as a result of this relentless onslaught of negativity. Because of it, it can become habit to not see any other perspective, as crying wolf has happened so much, that good news is easily discounted. I suspect this can account for much of the luddite on the left on a variety of issues. Fear is what seems to rule these people, just as it rules the luddites on the right. From a psychological point of view, both of these people need to transcend their ego's for a short while and get a glimpse of the big picture. If more people can do this, we have a better chance of seeing alternatives to the current course, and not discounting signs of those alternatives when they become available. It's been my experience that those signs can come when we least expect it and in places we never imagined previously.

Posted by Bennu at August 1, 2004 12:48 PM | TrackBack

Comments

Sometimes the glass is half full, sometimes it's half empty, sometimes it's "just half", but the possibility for it to be half full is always present. That's what I like about Future Hi, you are serious about making that a priority. Great post Paul.

Posted by: none at August 1, 2004 10:56 PM

Age might also have something to do with luddism. I've noticed a real tendency to become fixed in outlook as I age, and I assume I'm not uinque in this. The ways I'm used to are the "best" ways. I work consciously to counter this -- not always successfully -- but I could just as easily just let myself become a hardened old fart.

Posted by: John Fenderson at August 2, 2004 12:43 PM

Is irrational luddism even ethical?

Can someone make a clear proof that technology in general has engendered more human suffering than it has human happiness?

And then they say, "but has it made us fulfilled?" It is not the machine's job to fulfill us, and because we are depressed, we can't point the blame directly at "the system"

Old African proverb: "it takes a village to raise a child." It is part of the natural human condition to be born lodged into a system. If I was born into some native american tribe in 1400, I don't doubt that that "system" could be still be the tool of my oppression. I wouldn't have the freedom to question our tribe's faith. I wouldn't have the power to transcend quack medicines. I wouldn't have the access to communicate with people other than my family to share ideas and grow. I wouldn't have the security knowing that there's a ridiculously high chance my child will survive past the age of 5. I wouldn't have the opportunity to expand my mind beyond farming and hunting.

(of course I'd have access to psilocybin and ayahuasca, but then I wouldn't have a futurehi.net to discuss its important effects)

Posted by: Philip Dhingra at August 3, 2004 12:27 AM

going through hakim's bey piece i found no cynism. i found his usual refreshing poetic realism. light and heavy all at once. i fail to see any signs of depression or sadness in his tone.

i think he makes some very valid points.

ps: Phil i have been enjoying your work since i have seen a link to your site on an article you wrote. nice work:)

Posted by: clementine at August 4, 2004 02:55 PM