03 - Free software: the now and the futures

contrasens

Have you heard of free software? Even if you haven’t, you’re probably using at least some of it; perhaps a browser like Firefox, a cell phone running Android or most internet servers, the ones that host the websites we use on a daily basis. In this episode, we’re exploring its present state and the possible futures it may help shape. In a world leaning towards automation, what programming is behind it becomes increasingly important. How will production happen, and who’s gonna get paid? Our guest is Emrah Irzik, sociologist and researcher interested in how technologies influence social organization. Bonus info: Emrah Irzik’s dissertation: “Free Software as Commons: Between Informational Capitalism and a New Mode of Production” Biggest advocacy group for UBI: basicincome.org Books mentioned: Peter Frase, Four Futures https://www.versobooks.com/books/1847-four-futures Note: Our guest asked us to rectify that, while talking about jobs lost to automation, he was referring to developed countries, not developing ones. Producers: Matei Mlinarcic and Maria Martelli Sponsor and support by: Faculty of Sociology and Social Work, Babeș-Bolyai University Studio: Faculty of Political, Administrative and Communication Sciences, Babeș-Bolyai University Mix & master, soundtrack: KindStudios Visuals: Maria Martelli