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Digital Capitalism to Acid Communism

Emma Stamm

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Guest Introduction

On this episode, I'm joined by Emma Stamm to discuss data capitalism, acid communism, and the psychedelic ties between them.

Emma holds a PhD in cultural & social thought, and works at the intersections of the philosophy of technology, critical theory, and science and technology studies. She has taught at both NYU & Virginia Tech, and is now a professor in the philosophy department at Villanova University.

Our conversation explores the relationship between data capitalism & consciousness, using psychedelic science as a way of illuminating those aspects of consciousness that cannot be rendered via data's language. We also discuss:

  • How psychedelics provide an "empirical refutation of digital positivism"
  • Whether consciousness exists on a spectrum from 'less to more'
  • What data capitalism is, what psychopower is, and how this new paradigm might impact consciousness

Time Map

  • 6:30 – Technology's role in capitalism's relationship with consciousness
  • 18:00 – Definition and distinctions of digital capitalism
  • 29:40 – Psychedelic research insights on digitization
  • 33:00 – Exploration of digital positivism
  • 36:30 – Measuring consciousness vitality through data
  • 41:40 – Reducing valve theory discussion
  • 48:50 – Data capitalism and psychedelic consciousness connections
  • 56:00 – Capitalism's conservative nature and algorithmic reinforcement
  • 58:15 – Acid communism examination
  • 1:24:48 – Psychopower in digital capitalism context

Links from the Conversation