Communism is like, so 1990's

A few items to consider for our discussion on Tuesday. Although Hardt's article on "Postmodernisation" is quite similar at times to his piece on "Affective Labor," I believe there are a few provocative claims/arguments worth interrogating:

1. (Polemically) Do we concur with Hardt on these two assertions?:
a. Modernization has come to an end (second Paragraph after “informatisation”)
b. Postmodernisation marks a new mode of becoming human (last paragraph before "sociology of immaterial labor")

2. (Conceptually) Immaterial labor provides the potential for an "elementary communism" (right before the section on “network production”). What is the nature of the overlap here into the last section on the "commons?" – Hardt is speaking here of the supposed dissolution of contemporary notions of private property, the increase of communal production/relations and the "liberation of the multitude." Do we have here some terminological filling our of Virno's conception of post-Fordism as communism? Is this a necessary or contingent unfolding of the relational effects of immaterial production and circulation bound so closely together or a utopian figuration of communicative potentialities? Is either Hardt or Virno equivocating communism with something else like communitarianism or communication?

3. (Rationally) How do we begin to make sense of decentralization of the productive process that engenders command/control in other facets of production (right before section on “information highways”). The "network" Hardt speaks about is both the site of production and circulation - how do we then separate democratic from ologopolistic mechanisms?

Mind-Reading Computer?

"...thanks to a $450,000 grant from the National Science Foundation, come up with a straightforward way for your computer to tell if you are overworked, under-worked or not working at all."

"The user wears a sort of futuristic headband..."

Yes, futuristic -- NOT like the ones Daphne wore on Scooby Doo, but more like this guy, I guess.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21097949/wid/11915829?gt1=10541

Cubicle-dwellers can still have the upper hand, though. Since all that time they spend on MySpace and Instant Messenger is productive labor, this headband -- no matter how futuristic -- probably won't be able to tell the difference between that and the work they're being paid to do. And supervisors will still be able to report the effectiveness of their affective labor -- the computer will report that their workers are busy AND happy.

Extended comment for "A Few Historical Details"

I first wrote this as a comment on Andy's post "A Few Historical Details," but have decided it is long enough to post separately to the group. Just a note, you will have to reference Andy's post to understand my questions. Here goes:

Andy -

Thanks for the clarifications. Your post helps me feel much more confident about several questions I have had while reading this work. Primarily, what is the role of the State? Obviously the state does matter. The Thatcherite regime was able to quickly derail the efforts of the squatting multitude as Virno would dub them.

Another question this leads me to - Considering the credentials of types like Virno, Tronti, Negri, etc. What is their project and why? Whatever happened to no change without struggle (to paraphrase the former U.S. slave and abolitionist Frederick Douglas)? Why do these guys think exiting is the answer?

Jack Bauer is a republican...or at least that's what the GOPs want to believe!

Here are some clips that I digged up on the Republican party's "Jack Bauer obsession."
It wasn't McCain who brought up Jack Bauer in the Republican debate (It was Rep. Tancredo from Colorado). However, McCain equated himself with Jack Bauer when he appeared on the Daily Show in August (a show, which is the epitome of entertainmentalization of politics or politicotainment).

John McCain on Jack Bauer:
http://kevinwalter.org/blog/2007/08/sen-john-mccain-discusses-jack-bauer-on-the-daily-show/

Republicans impersonation of Jack Bauer:
http://onegoodmove.org/1gm/1gmarchive/2007/05/jack_bauer_for.html

Fueled by your energy...

Sorry, but I can't resist this. Some excerpts from Hey! Nielsen's "about us" section. An illustration of "personal dependency" and the merging of labor with daily life?

"Hey! Nielsen is more than just a new idea in opinions and social networking: it's a way for you to influence the TV and movies you watch, the music you listen to, and more... all while making a name for yourself. That's right, Hey! Nielsen isn't really "about us," it's about you. You're the reason The Nielsen Company built this site and will continue to tweak and polish it based on your input.

So, What's In It For Me?

"We know you love TV, movies, music, the web, and the personalities behind it all, just a little too much. So here's your chance to let your voice be heard, your face been seen, and your opinions be a force for change. You, plus the exclusive access and power of Nielsen means that your opinions not only reach millions of people via the web, but may also reach the media moguls who decide what goes on the air and on the web. The more heat your postings generate, the greater the chance your opinions will land on the most influential inboxes in the biz as we will be inviting select Hey! Nielsen members to take part in sneak previews and other invite-only events. Plus, the more connections you make to other users, the more interesting and useful recommendations you'll pick up on all sorts of entertainment. You'll be thanking us in no time.

"Participation in Hey! Nielsen requires little more than a strong opinion and a valid email address to get going. Hey! Nielsen runs on your enthusiasm and energy (which we like because we're very much into the "green" thing here). If you watch TV, watch movies, listen to music, surf the web, and follow personalities and trends, then we're sure you have an opinion. Want to see your opinions make it to the front page and influence others? Then get posting."

Who needs war activists...

...when you've got movies!

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/26/movies/26movi.html

Nielsen's social networking site

I guess it was inevitable. Maybe I can go there to chat about homescan as well...