Capital Is Dead: Is This Something Worse?

In his book "Capital Is Dead," McKenzie Wark argues that the all-pervasive presence of data in our networked society has given rise to a new mode of production controlled by those who own and control the flow of information. He suggests that this could be more dystopian than the techno utopias of the Silicon Valley imagination and offers theoretical tools to analyze and change the world.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 09 February 2021
Publisher: Verso Books

In his groundbreaking and visionary new book, McKenzie Wark argues that the pervasive presence of data in our networked society has given rise to a new mode of production, one not ruled by capitalists and their factories but by those who own and control the flow of information. However, if this is not capitalism anymore, could it be something worse? What if the world we live in is more dystopian than the techno utopias of the Silicon Valley imagination? And, if this is the case, how do we find a way out?

Capital Is Dead offers not only the theoretical tools to analyze this new world of information but also the ones to change it. Drawing on the writings of the Situationists and a range of contemporary theorists, Wark offers a vast panorama of the contemporary condition and the classes that control it.

The book begins by examining the ways in which the digital revolution has transformed the way we work, communicate, and consume. Wark argues that the rise of the gig economy, the decline of traditional labor markets, and the increasing automation of work have created a new class of workers who are increasingly precarious and vulnerable. These workers are often subjected to low wages, lack of job security, and poor working conditions, and they have little control over their work lives.

Wark then turns to examine the ways in which the ownership and control of information have become central to the power of the ruling classes. He argues that the concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few has led to a situation where the flow of information is controlled by those who own the means of production. This has created a situation where the dominant narrative is shaped by those who control the media, the internet, and other forms of communication.

The book also explores the ways in which the ruling classes use information to maintain their power and control over the working class. Wark argues that the ruling classes use propaganda, misinformation, and fear to keep the working class divided and powerless. They use surveillance and repression to keep the working class in line and prevent them from organizing and challenging their power.

However, Wark does not offer a simple solution to the problems that he identifies. He argues that the struggle against the ruling classes must be a long and difficult one, and that it will require the working class to organize and mobilize in order to achieve their goals. He also argues that the ruling classes will resist any attempts to challenge their power, and that it will be necessary to build a strong and resilient movement that can withstand the pressures and challenges that will be thrown at it.

In conclusion, Capital Is Dead is a powerful and thought-provoking book that offers a critical analysis of the contemporary condition and the classes that control it. Wark's arguments are well-researched and well-argued, and his book provides a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate about the future of capitalism and the possibilities for social change. Whether you are a worker, a student, or a concerned citizen, this book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the challenges that we face in the 21st century and the ways in which we can overcome them.

Weight: 178g
Dimension: 197 x 129 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781788735339