[act-ma] 11/17 Invitation to Tech and Revolution discussion (Sat)

[Charlie Welch]

/encuentro5/ (e5) and DigBoston are pleased to invite your organization to

participate in an important discussion on Technology and Revolution at
the e5 movement space in Boston on Saturday, Nov. 17 from 12-5pm. The
event is part of a series of discussions being held nationwide and
coordinated by May First/People Link and the Center for Media
Justice—leading up to an international convergence in Mexico City next year.

Notable attendees include: Alfredo Lopez, author, Puerto Rican
independista, and co-director of May First/People Link; and Rajesh
Kasturirangan, mathematician, cognitive scientist, and professor at the
National Institute of Advanced Studies in India.

Over the last few decades, technological advances have not only
radically changed methods of human communication but have also started
to change humanity itself in ways that grassroots organizations on the
political left have been slow to address. To the extent we have done so,
it has been mostly to advocate for disenfranchised communities’ access
to computers and broadband internet service.

But we have largely failed to grapple with issues beyond the rise of the
internet and huge corporate social media platforms like Facebook and
Twitter. And we’ve barely scratched the surface of those key changes,
let alone put much thought into analyzing the effects of newer
technologies like robotics, artificial intelligence, big data, and
genetic engineering on our communities. This is all the more alarming
because rapid technological has aggravated the inequalities about which
the left has traditionally cared.

Nonetheless, social-change movements continuously emerge, often in
unexpected spaces, but especially in artistic and youth spaces or from
insurgent social movements of the oppressed and exploited. They create
campaigns to challenge potentially negative technological developments
and propose more helpful community-centered technologies in their place.
In the interest of promoting these movements and their just agendas,
this gathering will convene organizers for an afternoon of sharing and
thinking together. We will be sharing information and analyses about
these topics in short, plain-spoken, manageable conversations. Our
thinking together will be strategic, asking and answering
straightforward questions:
·        What are the most urgent and important challenges connected
with technology?
·        What are the key areas for intervention?
·        Who are our allies?
·        What are our resources?
·        Before we can talk about joint and/or coordinated campaigns and
targeting, what do we need?

Please let us know if your organization will be able to attend at your
earliest convenience, and what leaders will be participating in the
conversation, if so.

Questions? Contact the convening organizations viatech at encuentro5.net 
<http://act-ma.org/mailman/listinfo/act-ma_act-ma.org>  
<mailto:tech at encuentro5.net 
<http://act-ma.org/mailman/listinfo/act-ma_act-ma.org>>
or email me directly.

Best,

Jason
DigBoston

Encuentro 5, 9A Hamilton Place, (near Park St.) Boston

-- 
Jason Pramas, MFA
Executive Editor and Associate Publisher, DigBoston
Network Director, Boston Institute for Nonprofit Journalism
2018 Association of Alternative Newsmedia Best Political Columnist Award
Winner
jason at digboston.com 
<http://act-ma.org/mailman/listinfo/act-ma_act-ma.org>  <mailto:jason at digboston.com 
<http://act-ma.org/mailman/listinfo/act-ma_act-ma.org>>
617-426-8942
http://www.digboston.com
http://www.binjonline.org
http://jasonpramas.work







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