by Wrench In the Gears
January 4, 2018
The next wave of education reform is one part of a much larger societal
shift that hinges on the use of Big Data, predictive analytics, and digital
profiling to control populations in a world of growing economic uncertainty and
unrest. What follows is a speculative dystopian scenario, a world that could
very well emerge from systems being put in place right now. It centers on two
sisters, Cam and Li, who live in a near future New York where authorities have
come to view human life primarily as a source from which to extract financial
profit. Many elements of the story read like science fiction, but they are not.
I’ve included links to sources at the end of each post so you can explore this
reality for yourself.
The future is uncertain and unlikely to play out exactly as described.
Nevertheless, we must begin to comprehend how technological developments
combined with concentrated power and extreme income inequality are leading us
to increasingly automated forms of oppression. My hope is that communities will
begin to incorporate an understanding of this bigger picture into resistance
efforts for public education and beyond. Let us join together, embracing our
humanity, to fight the forces that would bring us to “lockdown.” How can we
preserve our lives and those of our loved ones outside the data stream? How can
we nurture community in a world where alienation is becoming normalized? What
do we owe one another? What are we willing to risk? I have divided my story
into seven parts. I hope you’ll read along and consider sharing it with others.
Building Sanctuary
Part 1: Plugging In
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