Blog post by: Rémi Homan 4.09.2024
"Techno-feudalism" might sound like the latest techno music subgenre, but it's far from that—though that would be interesting. Instead, it’s a concept that reimagines the economic structure of feudalism in the context of the digital age. You probably remember feudalism from those history lessons where medieval landowners, or lords, owned vast estates, and peasants worked the land in exchange for protection and a share of their harvest. This system was the economic backbone of the pre-capitalist world. But here’s the twist: some argue that we're seeing a modern revival of this ancient model but in a high-tech, digital form.
This is where the term "techno-feudalism" comes in, popularized by the economist Yanis Varoufakis. He adds "techno" to signal the significant role that digital technology plays in this new form of economic organization. Rather than controlling physical land, today's "lords" control digital platforms and the vast amounts of data generated by users. These digital lords extract value in ways that are strikingly similar to the feudal lords of old—only now, it’s done through clicks, likes, and data mining rather than crops and labor.
A Redefinition of Capitalism: Navigating the Digital Age
In this fast-paced digital era, capitalism is transforming. The traditional critiques of capitalism—class struggle, exploitation, and inequality—still hold, but they don’t fully capture the nuances of our current economic landscape. Central banks, for instance, have played a crucial role in this transformation by providing easy access to capital through policies like quantitative easing. This has fueled the rise of massive digital platforms, which now form the backbone of our economy.
Whether we realize it or not, we are all part of this new economic order. Think about the apps you use daily—LinkedIn, Netflix, Instagram. These platforms aren't just tools; they are the new factories of the digital age, where value is generated not from traditional production but from digital interactions and data collection.
I know this sounds a bit abstract—a meta-definition of capitalism that’s hard to grasp. But it’s important because we’re at a critical juncture, not just in how we engage with technology but in how we spend our time alongside it. On a personal level, you're being tracked by various apps, often without even realizing it. LinkedIn, for example, encourages you to connect with others and subtly pushes you to compete and compare, all while harvesting your data, much like how medieval peasants’ labor benefited their lords.
A Shift in Perspective: The Need for a Lifestyle Transformation
So, what’s the takeaway? Do we need a significant shift in how we engage with the digital world, or should we simply restructure our lives? It’s easy to criticize capitalism for its impact on the world, but perhaps we’re already witnessing a transformation—a shift that we’re reluctant to fully embrace.
I’m guilty of it too—sharing memes on Instagram first thing in the morning or using apps that quietly demand more of my time and money. But we must start thinking critically about these super apps and the capital driving them. Even as I write this, I’m reminded to update my Apple balance for iCloud storage or to upgrade my ChatGPT subscription to continue our conversation.
We need to consciously navigate this new landscape, recognizing the power these digital platforms hold over us, much like the feudal lords of the past. By becoming more aware of how our time, attention, and data are being commodified, we can begin to reclaim some control over our digital lives.
This situation is reminiscent of a classic Monty Python scene where King Arthur, representing the feudal "landlord," dictates how his subjects should address him. The peasant, however, challenges the king's authority with a modern, democratic critique, much like we must now challenge the dominance of today’s digital overlords. Just as the peasant resists the outdated norms of his time, we need to develop a sense of autonomy and critical awareness to push back against the control exerted by these powerful digital platforms.
In essence, techno-feudalism is about recognizing the parallels between the old feudal system and our current digital world, where the new "lords" are the owners of these platforms, and we, the users, are their modern-day "serfs." As we enter a new stage of capitalism, driven by the dominance of big tech and data, it’s time to rethink not only how we interact with these digital giants but also how we critique capitalism in light of this shift, taking steps to reclaim our digital sovereignty.z
