Netwerk Democratie and Framer Framed present Up/root Democracy, an online public program focused on extractive systems undermining human/non-human rights. Looking for a potential balance for legitimate, ethical and sustainable systems in the Anthropocene, we need to consider new forms of political representation, legislation and re-politicise data and technology. Up/Root Democracy showcases the work of researchers, artists and activists; Amidst an intersection of crisis, this program delves into how systems of extraction—digital, mineral, etc.— can be a force for or against democratization.
Session 1— Resisting Data Extraction
As societies across the globe face lockdown due to the Covid19 pandemic, we find solace in the connection provided by social media accessed through handy digital devices. However, our online environment is just as, if not more surveilled, than ‘real life’. Personal information is gathered, processed by algorithms and used to influence everything from personal shopping recommendations to the targeting of vulnerable groups and spread of misinformation.
The first session of Up/root Democracy takes the form of a reading room led by Data Justice researcher Fieke Jansen and privacy activist Susana Sanz. The reading room will start with an exercise on data profiling designed by Sanz, followed by a close reading of excerpts from ‘The Age of Surveillance Capitalism’, in which author Shoshana Zuboff sets out how tech companies have created a new type of marketplace where predictions about our behaviour are bought and sold. The danger, she argues, is that this new economic sector which is focused on altering our behavior touches us at the core of our freedom and threatens our human nature. Zuboff therefore calls for a new set of elementary rights that should protect us from the extraction of our emotions and behaviours and reclaim our autonomy. All of these materials will be provided to participants registered through reserveren@framerframed.nl.
Susana Sanz
Susana Sanz is a privacy activist and information security trainer.
She is the founder of BalkonTactics, an open space for people using digital media interested in learning how to survive in a data extraction web. With online training and talks for anybody eager to learn about privacy and security options and avoid falling victim of their devices.
Fieke Jansen
Fieke Jansen is a PhD candidate at the Data Justice Lab at Cardiff University. Her research focuses on exploring social justice concerns that emerge through the implementation of data-driven decision making in European police forces. She is also a Mozilla fellow where she is exploring practices of resisting AI. Prior to starting her PhD, Fieke worked at Tactical Tech, a Berlin based NGO, as the project lead for their Politics of Data programme. At the Dutch Development organisation, Hivos, the intersection of human rights, internet and freedom of expression.
This event is FREE and in English.
There are limited spots for the reading room. To receive reading materials and the zoom link for the session please register through reserveren@framerframed.nl
The program is shown in the run-up to the Court for Intergenerational Climate Crimes (CICC) by artist Jonas Staal, which will be presented at Framer Framed in spring 2021. In this Tribunal, human/nature rights offenses of the present will be held accountable for future generations.
The program is shown in the run-up to the Court for Intergenerational Climate Crimes (CICC) by writer and lawyer Radha D’Souza and visual artist Jonas Staal, which we will be presented at Framer Framed in spring 2021. In this Tribunal, human/nature rights offenses of the present will be held accountable for future generations.
This event is supported by Europe Direct.
