SEMANTIC WARS
In the physical past, power was monopoly on violence.
In the digital future, it is about controlling who processes information and how.
(Thread, 1/N)
In the physical past, power was monopoly on violence.
In the digital future, it is about controlling who processes information and how.
(Thread, 1/N)
2/ First, a note. The distinction is not so black and white. For example, the use of force can still be relevant in the digital world (e.g., coercion).
As another example, in many dystopias, power is monopoly on information enforced through physical means.
As another example, in many dystopias, power is monopoly on information enforced through physical means.
3/ But the point is, the logic of violence determines the structure of society. And what is valuable and how it can be seized is a key input.
(examples over the next tweets)
(examples over the next tweets)
https://twitter.com/naval/status/751506188504666112?s=20
4/ For example, in the past, value was produced by the land. Wars were fought on land by armies. Kings controlled armies, so they were atop of society.
https://twitter.com/naval/status/751506602524499968?s=20
5/ As the structure of violence changes, so does societal structure.
https://twitter.com/naval/status/751506688180531200?s=20
6/ As the structure of value production changes, so does that of war. Society adapts.
https://twitter.com/naval/status/751507476504121344?s=20
7/ The last point is, incidentally, why I believe that nations many afraid that workers will lose their job to automation got their priorities wrong.
https://twitter.com/DellAnnaLuca/status/1111931392768643073?s=20
8/ But I digress. Back to violence and power.
9/ As software eats the world, violence will turn to software.
https://twitter.com/naval/status/751507835716984834?s=20
10/ Laws will become algorithms. Control of those algorithms means power.
However, and this is the critical part, code and microchips are not the only battlefield on which this war can be fought.
Semantics is another battlefield.
However, and this is the critical part, code and microchips are not the only battlefield on which this war can be fought.
Semantics is another battlefield.
https://twitter.com/jonst0kes/status/1346485278886801408?s=20
11/ To explain the previous sentence. Not only it might be that, in the future, there will be robots and the data that will be used to train them matters.
More importantly, laws are made of words. Changing the meaning attributed to those words is like changing the laws.
More importantly, laws are made of words. Changing the meaning attributed to those words is like changing the laws.
12/ Now, I do not want to say that wars will be fought.
But it's a battlefield. It matters and it might get attacked.
Some of the "woke movements" of recent times are attempting to that. Like many politicians.
But it's a battlefield. It matters and it might get attacked.
Some of the "woke movements" of recent times are attempting to that. Like many politicians.
https://twitter.com/jonst0kes/status/1346485280749068288?s=20
13/ Now, do not take this thread too literally.
But understand that semantics matter; it's not just being pedantic.
But understand that semantics matter; it's not just being pedantic.
14/ In the 18th, 19th & 20th centuries we enshrined important laws in constitutions to ensure that they don't change too fast.
I wonder if in the 21st century we'll enshrine dictionaries.
I wonder if in the 21st century we'll enshrine dictionaries.
15/ An example of the ways that semantics matter and can change
https://twitter.com/aella_girl/status/1346582349283086336
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