Tech activism
In the foreseeable future of the Philippines, a trend of tech activism emerges as citizens become increasingly aware of the potential harms posed by technology. This heightened awareness prompts many Filipinos to seek detoxification from digital platforms, akin to the Luddites' rejection of industrialization due to its negative impacts.
Moreover, this critical awareness fuels advocacy efforts, both on a personal and collective scale. Individuals take it upon themselves to educate their families about the pitfalls of technology, while larger movements arise, such as boycotts against major tech platforms like Google, Facebook, and Amazon. These actions symbolize a collective resistance against perceived encroachments on freedom and autonomy by technology.
Furthermore, Filipino artists leverage technology as a tool for activism, using innovative methods to critique societal issues. For instance, artist Christina Lopez utilized AI-based image generators to render portraits of paid trolls with fake identities, shedding light on the proliferation of troll farms in the country.
In conclusion, the rise of tech activism in the Philippines reflects a growing consciousness among citizens regarding the societal implications of technology. Through individual and collective efforts, Filipinos strive to reclaim control over their digital lives and advocate for a more equitable and responsible use of technology.
Selected Quotes
...[A]lam mo yung Tropical Futures? Ok sila, may attempt to decolonize the tech culture sa Philippines. Nakakatawa na may post sila na nilagyan ng tubig tapos itsura niya, siya yung CPU tapos nakaconnect sa monitor. Tas yung mga post nila na nasa computer shop, basta ang ganda nung attempt to actually contextualize yung kalye, kung ano yung itsura. Ang term ko doon ay island technology. Maganda rin yung ginagawa ni Nice Buenaventura: meron siyang project na color as a concept tapos cinoconfluence niya yung itsura ng aesthetic or kulay ng mga Pinoy sa kalye tapos pinopost niya. Yan, may general attempt to decolonize yung mga images na yun. Pero then again, doon ulit iyon sa mga nakapagaral, sa may access sa pagaaral.
Siyempre, buzzword naman yung AI. May nagtanong sa akin actually..."Mare, ano ba nasa radar ko na tech projects sa arts and culture?" Kasi nagreresearch siya and yung recommendation sa kanya ay kausapin ako. May conversation ako with him na marami talaga: diba, si Marlon Hacla, gumawa ng AI poet na robot na gumagawa ng Filipino poetry. Pero ang tagal na nun, so pinaguusapan niyo pa rin yung AI kahit luma na siya. Ngayon lang, mas matalino talaga pero yung fascination with it, medyo matagal na siya. Noong nasa La Fuerza pa yung Kwago, nandun na yung robot poet, so that was around 2018. Gusto ko [rin] ihighlight yung mga projects na political: si Christina Lopez, gumawa ng AI para mabigyan ng face yung Duterte trolls...Ako, feel ko mas gamay na ng mga tao ngayon yung AI: hindi ko lang alam kung paano pa siya maggogrow pero maraming research ngayon sa AI and paano siya nageexploit ng data natin...
...I think naggogrow yung criticality and dismay sa technology ngayon. In terms sa mga nagbubutingting na community, mas kritikal na [ang mga Filipino maker communities] sa tech and mas may themes na rin ng decolonizing. Mas naghahanap sila ng indigenous materials, naghahanap sila ng raw materials or island technologies na pwedeng gamitin or communities wherein makakuha sila ng ganun. Mas nagiging sensitive yung community na yan sa indigenous tech. Ano ba matututunan natin sa mga community? Mas nagiging concern na rin yung sustainable energy: marami akong friends na yun yung mga projects nila, nagrerevolve around regenerative technology na makakatulong sa atin para rumesponde sa climate crisis. Marami ka kasing matututunan from indigenous knowledge from this so yan nakikita ko. Nagbbranch out na rin siya sa ibang arts like fashion.
