About this Video

• Video Title: Franco Bifo Berardi: On Futurability
• Channel: ICA
• Speakers: Rosalie, Franco Bifo Berardi, Susan Kelly
• Duration: 01:36:30

Introduction

This video features a lecture by Franco "Bifo" Berardi on his book Futurability: The Age of Impotence and the Horizon of Possibility. Berardi discusses the decline of political power in the face of accelerating technological change and the resulting sense of impotence. He explores the rise of cognitive capitalism and the need for a new form of solidarity to navigate this uncertain future.

Key Takeaways

• Impotence of Modern Politics: Berardi argues that the speed of information and events has outpaced the capacity for effective political decision-making, leading to a widespread sense of impotence. The traditional model of masculine power, as described by Machiavelli, is no longer sufficient.
• Two Forms of Power: The video identifies two forms of power: declining political power and rising cognitive power (primarily embodied in Silicon Valley).
• The Role of Technology: Technology is presented as a double-edged sword. While it has the potential for liberation, it is also a tool for control and the reinforcement of existing power structures.
• The Importance of Solidarity and Empathy: Berardi stresses the crucial role of solidarity, empathy, and friendship in overcoming the sense of impotence and creating a more just and equitable future. He suggests that these qualities are essential for disentangling from the constraints of existing power structures.
• Necessity of Disentanglement: The core challenge, according to Berardi, is disentangling the possibility of a better future from the entanglement of existing power structures and the “superstition of salaried labor.”

Berardi states that Larry Page (co-founder of Google) understands that full employment is impossible due to the advancements in artificial intelligence. He explains that if AI is integrated into production, 50% of existing jobs could disappear immediately. Therefore, the pursuit of full employment, according to Berardi, is a "mantra" that is unrealistic in light of current technological capabilities.

The "superstition of salaried labor" is Berardi's term for the widespread belief that to survive, one must sell their time for a salary. He argues that this belief is a superstition because it obscures the possibility of a future where survival is possible without the necessity of salaried labor, thanks to technological advancements that could reduce the need for human work.

According to Berardi, disentangling the possibility of a better future requires a multi-faceted approach: overcoming the "superstition of salaried labor," fostering solidarity and empathy, and focusing intellectual energies on creating new forms of social organization and communication that are not constrained by the current power structures. This includes a shift in consciousness and a reactivation of empathy to counter the effects of the digitalization of communication and the intensification of competition. He suggests that artists and poets may have a particularly important role to play in this process.