The observation of machinic control of Americans by technology and ‘spreadsheet brain’ by a Chinese Communist Party functionary who toured the USA and wrote a deTocqueville-esque description of the place
Gord- This is good. Another commenter pressed me on the use of "establishment" mind. Saying Ferguson was purely establishment. Agree that establishment is probably not the best word in this case. Maybe "spreadsheet brain" is better or maybe "technocratic" brain.
I love this quote. Ferguson is a great science communicator and that is hard to do. Jodie, you articulated it well. You may not agree with him all the time, but he has a knack for following evidence to its natural conclusion. I admire the transparency of his thinking and that is what I want to improve more in my own work and practice.
Wondering if there's a link between this procedural notion of freedom and the technical approach to the world championed by researchers. The procedural notion looking for the right "technique" to create freedom, obviously similarly to how researchers see our social problems as fundamentally solvable by improved technology.
Also clear how this fits with the narratives of modernity: Reducing these things to a series of technical innovations is the simplest way to understand history as a constantly forward-moving process.
David- This is a very good point indeed. I had been struggling over the right word to use in this case. I had been thinking "establishment" wasn't quite the right one to your point. Ferguson is certainly establishment and fully credentialed though Free Press does fashion itself a sort of dissident paper. But, I agree Ferguson is an establishment person. Though I was trying to describe a sort of mind as opposed to a sort of person.Though your point is well taken. Though I wonder if "technocratic mind" is more in the spirit of what I was trying to describe. Thoughts?
I would say that Ferguson has built a storied career on digesting and presenting enormous amounts of material in clear and entertaining ways, and being a bit of a provocateur. He is a famous historian, and that is a mixed bag, not to be overly cynical (or envious). But it has its downsides, and so what you call "establishment" figures -- I would probably say "professional," or even "expert" -- make points along the "well, but, you are leaving out . . . " That is, there is a sort of structure here, and the moves are often to be expected. I responded obliquely to Ferguson (and a host of similar arguments) here:
Two suggested pieces of related writing -
The observation of machinic control of Americans by technology and ‘spreadsheet brain’ by a Chinese Communist Party functionary who toured the USA and wrote a deTocqueville-esque description of the place
https://scholars-stage.org/american-nightmares-wang-huning-and-alexis-de-tocqueville-dark-visions-of-the-future/
Also, we see the same thing happening in Canada
https://www.palladiummag.com/2019/09/19/how-not-to-build-a-country-canadas-late-soviet-pessimism/
Gord- This is good. Another commenter pressed me on the use of "establishment" mind. Saying Ferguson was purely establishment. Agree that establishment is probably not the best word in this case. Maybe "spreadsheet brain" is better or maybe "technocratic" brain.
"I realized long ago that I strongly prefer thinkers who are thrilling and sometimes wrong over those who are bland and often right."
Fully agree. Why? Because they are thinking, and you can see them thinking, and think with them.
Jodi- Welcome to the Savage Collective. It's good to have you here. Yes, I think that is about right.
I love this quote. Ferguson is a great science communicator and that is hard to do. Jodie, you articulated it well. You may not agree with him all the time, but he has a knack for following evidence to its natural conclusion. I admire the transparency of his thinking and that is what I want to improve more in my own work and practice.
Great piece as usual.
Wondering if there's a link between this procedural notion of freedom and the technical approach to the world championed by researchers. The procedural notion looking for the right "technique" to create freedom, obviously similarly to how researchers see our social problems as fundamentally solvable by improved technology.
Also clear how this fits with the narratives of modernity: Reducing these things to a series of technical innovations is the simplest way to understand history as a constantly forward-moving process.
Pat- Thanks so much for your thoughtful comments as usual. This sounds right to me.
A more establishment voice than Ferguson? Really?
David- This is a very good point indeed. I had been struggling over the right word to use in this case. I had been thinking "establishment" wasn't quite the right one to your point. Ferguson is certainly establishment and fully credentialed though Free Press does fashion itself a sort of dissident paper. But, I agree Ferguson is an establishment person. Though I was trying to describe a sort of mind as opposed to a sort of person.Though your point is well taken. Though I wonder if "technocratic mind" is more in the spirit of what I was trying to describe. Thoughts?
Grant,
I would say that Ferguson has built a storied career on digesting and presenting enormous amounts of material in clear and entertaining ways, and being a bit of a provocateur. He is a famous historian, and that is a mixed bag, not to be overly cynical (or envious). But it has its downsides, and so what you call "establishment" figures -- I would probably say "professional," or even "expert" -- make points along the "well, but, you are leaving out . . . " That is, there is a sort of structure here, and the moves are often to be expected. I responded obliquely to Ferguson (and a host of similar arguments) here:
https://davidawestbrook.substack.com/i/146260585/writers-problems
Cheers/keep up the good work.