The course “Digital Cultures” emphasized a critical perspective on technology and associated dynamics by focusing on humanity and tech-related consciousness rather than technology itself. This post-technological approach reorients the discussion to the interrelationships between society, digital technologies, and culture(s), stressing relationality—an understanding that nothing exists in isolation. This essay addresses key aspects of these themes by exploring the context of the polycrisis, the power of stories and metaphors, the material realities of digital infrastructures, the gap between knowledge and action, and the role of future imaginaries as tools for reflection and critique.
Crisis*∞
The world today faces interconnected crises that extend beyond climate change, reflecting a broader economic system rooted in extraction and exploitation. These crises reinforce one another, creating a cascade of unsustainable dynamics. Technology, far from being neutral, is deeply embedded in these systems, perpetuating unsustainable practices. Critical perspectives must interrogate the role of technology within this context, highlighting how it often reinforces harmful structures. Rather than focusing solely on technological solutions, we should examine the systemic conditions that sustain these crises.
Stories and Metaphors
The narratives and metaphors surrounding technology shape our perception of its role in society. Frequently, these stories serve the interests of those who profit from technology, overshadowing alternative perspectives. For instance, terms like “community” are often co-opted, masking exploitative practices behind positive connotations. However, metaphors can also serve as tools for critique and envisioning alternative futures. Critical perspectives must deconstruct dominant narratives while crafting new metaphors that challenge dominant paradigms and inspire transformative change.
Material Clouds
One powerful yet misleading metaphor is that of the “cloud.” Popular images evoke light, weightless formations, obscuring the material infrastructure underpinning digital systems. In reality, the so-called cloud depends on data centers, cables, power plants, and cooling devices, each with significant resource demands, energy consumption, and labor implications. These infrastructures themselves have material consequences, from environmental degradation to exploitative working conditions. A critical perspective involves “following the cable” to trace these connections and uncover the systemic interrelations that sustain digital technologies.
Knowing More ≠ Doing More
There is a widespread belief that achieving sustainable futures requires more knowledge, often addressed through technological innovation and data collection. However, the limits of growth and the urgency of sustainability have been well-documented since the 1970s. The issue is not merely a lack of knowledge but political will and systemic intention. While critical knowledge production through technology can provide valuable insights, the focus must shift toward actionable, future-oriented practices that address structural challenges rather than relying on technological fixes alone.
Future as Tools
Imagining futures beyond binary narratives of dystopia and utopia is a powerful tool for reflection and critique. Speculative futures enable us to explore societal and individual challenges, offering a platform to envision alternatives to the status quo. For example, the 1970s imagined flying cars as transformative, yet the most impactful technological shift in urban life until today might the spatial navigation software accessible on our smartphones today. Collective, well-structured workshop-formats can help us move beyond simplistic imaginaries, using the future as a lens to craft desirable alternatives and critical inquiries into current practices.
Final Remarks
The post-technological approach adopted in this course challenges us to reconsider the role of technology, emphasizing its relational and systemic dimensions. By interrogating metaphors, uncovering material realities, bridging the gap between knowledge and action, and imagining transformative futures, we can cultivate critical perspectives that transcend the limitations of current techno-centric narratives. This framework opens pathways for envisioning and enacting alternatives to the unsustainable systems that dominate our world today.
