Thread by @Tarek_Younis_

Watched the #TheSocialDilemma last night, and while it's a great intro into the depraved reality of surveillance capitalism, its analysis is really incomplete at times, esp as it relates to psychology. This most likely a result of only including tech ppl in the discussion/1

First, the tech capitalists didnt learn to 'abuse' our psychology, psychology (as discipline) is inherentely an artifact of capitalism. From its disciplinary beginnings, psychology has always been about maximising the 'value' of people. Nothing about this has changed/2

To add: it doesnt matter the approach, even developments into 'self-actualisation' and 'finding your true self' is intrinsicly associated with liberal-capitalist ideals of work/life./3

Second, the documentary sort of orbits this "we need to find a middle ground to discover the truth as technologies are keeping us in information silos". Then it shows a bunch of protests, as if demonstrations/resistance have been instigated by some computer algorithm/4

Without addressing power, I feel this doc reproduces this centrist narrative we need to find middle ground in everything, not really addressing how todays centrism perpetuates a neoliberal, securitised State narrative--"don't be extreme in anything (esp not against capitalism)"/5

It's bewildering to end by suggesting we can reform these trillion-$ corporations, or reverse the State-tech industry nexus, as if 'good will' can somehow put a halt on this capitalist gravy train or State power. Especially given how succesful it proves to be in surveillance/end

I recognise the irony of posting these thoughts on twitter...