Facts about Globalization and the Information Age

http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/video/shifthappens

Learning the Politics of Technology

I am unsure whether the thought that architectural design was a reflection of politics has ever occurred to me, though I have always been suspicious of veiled racial and social prejudice. Still, it was shocking to find out how bold and elaborate was the discrimination that was sketched into the public works design for Long Island. In the 1920s, Robert Moses, public works planner abused his position to add exclusive amenities to his large-scale engineering projects. Those amenities, though funded with public money, were exclusive to whites and middle to upper-class society. Who would have suspected the designer behind approximately 200 bridges out to Long Island was really designing politics? But he did not work alone.  

The overpasses, their design seemingly inoffensive were so low that some had only 9' clearance from curb. The buses, 12 feet tall, were unable to maneuver the low overpasses. The intended result was that racial minorities and low-income people were kept from Jones Beach. This restriction was made even more effective when Moses vetoed extending the Long Island Railroad there. Blacks and poor people were effectively kept out of Long Island without any battle being waged. Only private cars, which they did not own, could travel those parkways. These giant structures of steel and concrete transformed the New York social-political landscape for many years. How much time and money would it take to replace such basic infrastructure?  

It would seem, at least, that New York planner Lee Koppleman and Robert Caro, biographer of Moses, showed some kind of integrity in bringing these facts to light for us. Hopefully, hearts and minds change quicker than steel and concrete. Eventually the bridges will be replaced. Maybe the new artists can create structures which will symbolize mutual respect and demonstrate the strength diversity can bring us.  There will always be technological bias where there is any bias at all. Any method capable of usurping power will always be seized upon, whether it is in the building or burning of bridges. Power can be stolen in the name of religion, whether crusaders or terrorists, by the declaration of war, by the subtleties in laws and covenants, and in technological design. Corruption of power and schemes to exclude are the result of human greed or insecurity of one's personal value, but is it an innate human trait?  

Where will this leave the Internet? This powerful technological tool was developed by the U.S. Department of Defense. Obviously, there was political motive. But ironically it has been the most effective tool for sharing with the rest of the world the horrors of war. It allows instant communication on political atrocities by foreign governments (which might distract us from what our own government is doing.) Have you heard from any of Burma's monks lately? The Internet can provide us with access to information not found our own media. It is a way to make money also. How long will it be before there are laws to widen the gap between those who can and cannot afford the Internet?

Kyoto Protocol

Do you find it globally undemocratic that the U.S. refuses to sign the Kyoto Protocol, and submit itself as a real world leader by example? Look at the number of U.S. cities and states demonstrating themselves as leaders, along with all of the countries that have already committed and signed the Protocol. I find this position taken by the U.S. wrong, lacking in nobility and courage because the Protocol is fair. What’s really going on here?