Machines Against Measures

by Irene Sotiropoulou

Overview

Are we doomed because of the new digital technologies used in workspaces? Can we avoid measuring in our work? Or are we trapped in a metrification dystopia? Can we create workspaces that can produce what we prefer in order to use our human effort in ways that support nature and our communities? And if yes, what technologies could we use?

Here, monetary—theorist Irene Sotiropoulou explores and critiques the information and communication means that were created for capitalist profit—making, showing how we can subvert these and use them for our own non—capitalist purposes. Machines Against Measures shows that in times of capitalist restructuring and multiple social reproduction crises, there open up new possibilities to experiment with quantity, measuring, machines and digital technologies, creating new ways of production and transaction. Within these, are ways of sharing and producing that defy many principles of capitalist relations. Using everyday examples from grassroots activity, this book offers new insights into how to be inventive with what we have at hand and be able to reflect on what technologies we truly need, revealing a grounded and practical vision of technology and work, based on re—defining why and how we measure what we do.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780755639595
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	06/29/2023
Series:	Autonomy and Automation
Pages:	176
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.37(d)

About the Author

Irene Sotiropoulou is Senior Lecturer in the Business School at Edge Hill University, UK, where she is specializes in ecological, feminist, solidarity and non—capitalist economics.

Table of Contents

Part I: the non—mainstream modes of transaction and production and the quantity question
1. Introduction: the non—mainstream modes of transaction & production, or when what works in practice struggles to work in theory
2. Theoretical background: Capitalist patriarchy, quantification, historical materialism in the field and the “alternatives” to capitalism
3. Theory again: Is measuring a form of violence?
4. Approaches, research methodologies the quantitative methods problem

Part II: The practices of quantifying otherwise
5. Quantities and measures in the non—mainstream field
6. The question of time
7. The question of value
8. ICTs in the non—mainstream field
9. Machines otherwise?

Part III: Machines, measures and (social) reproduction
10. Machines, measures, and the neoliberal version of capitalist patriarchy
11. Machines and measures in service of (social) reproduction
12. Capitalist patriarchal reprise: measures and machines as contested means of (re)production
13. Conclusion: “The Master's Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master's House” and the options we have
Bibliography

Editorial Reviews

In Greece, the financial and economic crisis of 2009 produced a social crisis. A multitude of grassroots initiatives responded to it, and some of these experimented with methods of production and exchange outside the mainstream economy. Irene Sotiropoulou's research considers how such ventures can develop tools and technologies, in particular those that quantify and measure work and goods, independently of, and in opposition to, capitalism and patriarchy — issues that will concern all who hope for social change.” —Simon Pirani, Honorary Professor, University of Durham

“[C]harts a hugely fertile direction of travel for progressive economics in an area that has been considerably undertheorised.” —Morning Star

“A highly commended, refreshing, and full of inspiration, engrossing read.” —Work, Employment and Society

From the Publisher