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One of Illich's most important ideas was the "Radical Monopoly," using cars in cities as an example, where the car operates as a monopoly technology, dominating
by motohagiography 6y ago
One of Illich's most important ideas was the "Radical Monopoly," using cars in cities as an example, where the car operates as a monopoly technology, dominating what was previously a commons. The only way to rebel against it was to walk and ride bicycles, even though your participation in cities in these modes would be less efficient, higher risk, and generally inferior to that of using a car.
And yet, just in the last 25 years people inspired by Illich who were cyclists and pedestrians formed movements (also using the ideas of Jane Jacobs) for walkable cities and neighbourhoods, and bike lanes. I think these movements have had some success re-establishing a new commons carved out of the one dominated by cars.
I think the internet, and the internet giants form one of these radical monopolies. The equivalent to being a cyclist 25 years ago but on the internet today would be using things like BSD or linux, Pinephones, Matrix, DDG, and in particular, it would mean largely eschewing the browser as a means for entertainment.
Maybe there is a new commons movement just ahead of us?
- elliekelly 6y agoThere has been a similar movement with billboards, too. I’m reminded of this recent reddit post[1] showing before & after photos of Poland. I think there are a few states in the US that prohibit outdoor advertising, too. I suppose a city’s ambience is a “commons” in a way. [1]https://www.reddit.com/r/europe/comments/l0p31m/in_poland_we_are_slowly_getting_rid_of/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf https://www.reddit.com/r/europe/comments/l0p31m/in_poland_we...
- Gravityloss 6y agoIs movement around the world a lot easier nowadays than 25 years ago? Remote work for example is a big thing, many companies are more multinational. So you could just leave places where people are allowed to exploit the commons and move somewhere with a better working system. Some cities would notice that they are not attractive places to live anymore and perhaps might want to do something about it.
- DiggyJohnson 6y agoThank you for framing this topic this way, I think about our shared commons quite a lot - especially the collapse of third places. I think 3rd Places is a good place start down the rabbit hole, for anyone interested. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_place https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_place [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_place#Virtual_third_places https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_place#Virtual_third_plac...