CB: What is the evidence and argument that _society_ is going through a profound revolution in machinery ? What characteristics of today's new machinery make the revolution _profound_ in comparison with the revolutions in machinery in the last 100 years ? Why is American society undergoing this and not the whole world ? If it is the whole world then why not say the whole world ? Reply Thanks for the correct that should be can't - cannot.
You are correct. The entire world is entering and firmly within a revolution in the mode of production with some countries more advanced than others. Development of and revolution in the productive forces are always uneven and combined as a law of development. Actually, every single improvement in the productive forces - quantitative or qualitative, are eventually spread throughout the world. I will be more careful so as not to give the impression that talking about America means "only in America." The inside of a computer is different - a different technology, from machines founded on the principles of mechanical motion using a structure of mechanical gears, levers, fly wheels and transfer bars. Find an old adding machine used by H&R block - from 30 years ago, disassemble it, lay all it parts on a table; then take your computer , disassemble it, lay all its parts on the table and the difference your eyes are looking at is the difference between a system of mechanical gears, levers, fly wheels and what you see as the components of your computer. That is how one can see the difference. I did describe the "why" and "how" in a critique of an article by John Case, writer of Political Affairs some time ago. The process is extremely interesting because each incremental grafting onto an existing system, a qualitatively new technology runs into barriers that are the "pathways" of the old system. At a certain stage of development a further grafting "onto" is not possible and the entire system one is dealing with is totally reconfigured. The difference between the old memo printing machines, all radical groups had in the 1960's and 1970's and modern printers is profound. The new printing machines are not modified Gestetners. The long history of transition from Gutenberg cold type press, modified by the industrial revolution with complex gears and levers, to today's printing machines is breathtaking. I was trained in the 8 th and 9 th grade to set cold type and become a printer, only to become aware of the change wave when our "group" purchased one of IBM's new typesetting machines in 1969/70. By 1980 Compugraphic over took IBM in the typesetting field. Apple 1984 Computer - with its famous 1984 won't be 1984 commercial, was a turning point and this technological regime sunk companies like Compugraphic, more or less. Then the welding and paint shops in plants began change and the first generation of advance robotics were introduced. The current generation of advanced robotics are not inhibited in their movement and motion like the first. The devices I play music with today are fundamentally different from my old Maranx 2045 and Technics turntables. Turntables still exist, but even today'e 1970ish CD players are being replaced. You basically cannot tune up your car today. I tried because the number 3 piston was misfiring. Today's automobile engines could not be designed like this 25 - 35 years ago. Boy was I pissed. There goes $150 bucks. We crossed the threshold separating mechanical driven motion some time ago. Grafting on the new technological regime to the existing system is the meaning of revolution in the machinery of society. All revolution in the machinery begin with the incremental - quantitative, grafting onto, the existing machinery, a qualitatively new kind of or enhanced device, instrument, tool, energy source, machine, or technology. Such was the exact same case with the revolution from simple manufacture to industry. Eventually a new or enhanced external energy source has to come into existence for the further expansion of the new technology. We are not driving my fathers "old" Oldsmobile. If you are implying that society is not going through a revolution in the machinery of society, bringing to an end expansion on the old basis of that, which made the industrial revolution, well industrial - founded on mechanical motion principles, then how does one explain the technological regime of the computer and this stage of advanced robotics? The semi-conductor - integrated chip, is truly revolutionary. WL. **************Get a jump start on your taxes. Find a tax professional in your neighborhood today. (http://yellowpages.aol.com/search?query=Tax+Return+Preparation+%26+Filing&ncid=emlcntusyelp00000004) _______________________________________________ Marxism-Thaxis mailing list Marxism-Thaxis@lists.econ.utah.edu To change your options or unsubscribe go to: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/marxism-thaxis
