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====== Pursell, 324-348 -- Andrew Ross, "Hacking Away at the Counterculture" ======

The author argues that hacking should be seen as a particular form of counterculture grounded in resistance and in the need for technoliteracy. In particular, the hacking community emerges from a decentralized, post-Fordist, rhizomatic, and even schizoid/paranoid mode of production. It was interesting for me to consider hackers and computer technology from this perspective, given that these technologies now constitute a major part of what Michael Hardt and Antonio Negri call the “Empire.” - Nikolai Kotkov

This article took an interesting perspective on something we’d commonly see as a danger to society: hacking. Ross provides a counter example arguing for using hacking to promote social good by using it for resistance efforts. - Grayson Donohoe

I thought it was interesting how a computer software virus was compared to a spreading disease and basically saying that you can’t trust any software. – Izzy Ellenberger

This article was an interesting take on technoliteracy. Ross’ comparison between the government's response to computer viruses and AIDS is an interesting take but I can see where he is coming from with it. - Justin Hoskins

The article highlights that as technology becomes more integrated into society, understanding its mechanics is crucial for challenging dominant power structures at play. There's this emphasis on the need for individuals to be technologically literate to maintain autonomy in the digital space.  It's not just about using tech, but understanding its that there is power dynamics as well. - Izabella Martinez

As computers have become a bigger part of peoples lives, no doubt that the realization of the dangers that could arise were becoming apparent.  The article mentions the skepticism that was coming around with these computers and with hackers and viruses.  It kind of reminded me of Y2K a bit with the dependence on tech. - David Y.

Ross argues that hacking should be seen as a countercultural response to increasingly centralized digital power. What stood out was his emphasis on technoliteracy—understanding how technology works as a way to maintain autonomy. His comparison between virus panic and the AIDS crisis shows how fear shaped early reactions to computers. Overall, he highlights hacking as both resistance and a critique of the growing dependence and distrust surrounding digital technology. - Todd Holman

Ross’ comparison between computer viruses and AIDS was very intriguing and was something I would have never considered had I not read this chapter. Given the moral panics Ross describes that came from Robert Morris’ attack, I actually think this comparison makes a lot of sense and it’s interesting to compare the two groups of “social menaces” (teenage counterculture hackers and queer people). - Noah Rutkowski
====== UN 2024 Report on Global E-waste ======

This is a report that studies and tracked all "E-waste" in different places. It's interesting how they defined E-waste as basically anything that is electronic. I would be interested to know what kinds of things they omitted from this list (they might have said it somewhere, but I can't read the whole thing) -- Oliver M.

While it makes sense that richer countries would have more waste, the sheer amount MORE that they have than poorer countries is insane. A 109:4 shows just have much disparity there is, and how much waste and overconsumption there is in richer countries. Also interesting that even in the poorer countries, it still is 4, which indicated that it really is a problem everywhere, no matter where you are. -- Oliver again

The report from the UN describes how e-waste is being produced by society at significantly faster rates than the waste can be recycled. This not only provides a safety issue but an environmental concern, as well. They attribute this to the mass consumption of products that produce e-waste. I often think of random fad products, like the Stanley cup, or fast fashion as products subject to overconsumption, so this is a really interesting additional example. - Grayson Donohoe

One thing that stood out to me in the report is how uneven the recycling infrastructure is across different regions. Some countries have laws and systems in place that allow them to recycle a quarter of their e-waste, while others barely recycle any at all. That gap makes me wonder how much of the problem is about consumer behavior versus the systems available to handle the waste. --James Clayberg

This report demonstrates the enormous rate of global e-waste generation (62 billion kg in 2022) compared to the relatively slow rate of recycling (22.3%). I think the report highlights a classic paradox of progress: while technological development promises human flourishing, it simultaneously contributes to environmental degradation and global injustice, as many environmental costs are externalized onto people in underdeveloped countries.- Nikolai Kotkov

What stood out to me is how many electronics are thrown away considering how many resources are available in them to be recycled. Especially given how damaging harvesting some of these resources can be to the environment. - Justin Hoskins

I found it compelling that the report concluded that if countries could bring the e-waste collection and recycling rates to 60% by 2030, the benefits would exceed costs and reduce human health risks. But the annual generation of e-waste is rising by 2.6 million tons annually, and many corporations make products that don't have a long life span, and some people don't make efforts to recycle or consume less. - Hannah Holstrom

In this document it talked about the rise of e-waste and what is contributing to it. Some being over consumption, shorter product life, and limited options for repair. I thought this was interesting because I just thought about how people buy the newest apple products every time they come out with something even though their "old" phone for example was totally fine. – Izzy Ellenberger

With the growth of appliances like e-bikes, e-scooters, and the newest model of hand held devices, it’s not surprising for me to hear that collection and recycling cannot keep up with the rise in modern consumerism. I’d like to see progress in e-waste management and other ways to promote sustainable development in the future. - Izabella Martinez

The rise of disposable vapes highlights how our consumer choices are quickly creating larger environmental problems. The amount of e-waste, especially the lithium-ion batteries, shows us better recycling systems and sustainable product designs are needed. It's clearly a reminder that there is an environmental cost to our products. – Ashley Palin

E-waste policies in the U.S. makes it harder to address our growing environmental issues. The contrast between national regulations in South America as well as fragmented, state-level systems in North America highlights our need for better coordination and plan for sustainability. Our region's ability to handle its e-waste will continue to worsen otherwise. – Ashley Palin

The numbers in E-Waste is honestly quite surprising to me.  I remember a documentary that talked about Electronic Recycling centers compared to what other companies in the world do to E-Waste, but it shows that even the United States needs to up its game in the recycling of these electronics. - David Y.

The report makes clear how rapidly e-waste is growing and how uneven our ability to manage it is. Wealthier countries create far more waste, but even poorer regions contribute to a global problem driven by overconsumption, short product lifespans, and limited repair or recycling options. What stands out is the mismatch between the huge amount of valuable materials being discarded and the lack of systems to safely recover them. Overall, the report shows that without stronger recycling infrastructure and better product design, the environmental and human costs of our technology will keep rising. - Todd Holman

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