APOCALYPSE QUARTERLY 3/24
Dear Readers,
Solving the world's most difficult problems through technological inventions and entrepreneurship—isn't that a beautiful dream? This magazine explores pressing issues at the intersection of technology, society, and the future. A key theme that emerges is the stark contrast between utopian visions of technology emanating from Silicon Valley and the harsh realities faced by platform workers in the Global South. Eduardo Altheman C. Santos' insightful piece reveals how the “Californian ideology” of tech utopianism morphs into dystopian working conditions for millions of platform workers in Brazil. As we hurtle towards an automated future, we must critically examine who benefits from and who pays the price for our tech-driven dreams.
The magazine also touches on fascinating concepts like Nahua futurisms, offering alternative visions of the future rooted in Indigenous knowledge and experiences. Such perspectives are crucial as we grapple with existential challenges and imagine more equitable futures.
The CAPAS team wishes you a stimulating an inspiring read!
Dreamed in California, Nightmared in the Global South
Silicon Valley is often viewed as a beacon of technological utopia, promising solutions to global challenges through innovation and entrepreneurship. However, this idealism starkly contrasts with the harsh realities faced by platform workers in the Global South, particularly in Brazil, where precarious labor conditions and exploitation are rampant. The text explores how these dreams of autonomy and progress morph into nightmares of surveillance and instability, revealing a troubling link between Northern aspirations and Southern dystopias.
