COVID-19’s Lasting impact: A Shift in the Technocratic Vision of Life
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The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically reshaped how Americans view technology and its role in society. While initially presented as a solution, the reliance on new technologies and biotechnologies during lockdowns raised concerns about surveillance and social control. This period, according to experts, revealed a disturbing willingness to embrace transhumanist ideals in the name of controlling life itself.
Anthropologist Daniela Cerqui, a professor at the University of Geneva with 25 years of experience studying technological advancements, offers a critical perspective on the pandemic’s impact. She challenges the widely accepted “best practices” adopted during the crisis, revealing the underlying societal shifts they represent.
The Pandemic’s Influence on the “mastery” of Life
“the COVID-19 period arrived as a disruptive force in a linear progression toward increasing ‘mastery’ of life and humanity, focusing on repairing, enhancing, or extending life,” explains Professor Cerqui. “Biotechnologies and details technologies increasingly portray humans as imperfect, suggesting we’ve awaited these technologies to improve our performance. The pandemic highlighted this. While there was initial hope for a shift in perspective regarding the limitations of control, the biotechnological promise quickly triumphed with the rollout of vaccines.”
The Rise of Telemedicine and Digital Healthcare
Professor Cerqui notes that the pandemic accelerated pre-existing trends. “Telemedicine, for example, increased the distance between doctor and patient, reinforcing a shift from a ‘hands-on’ to a ‘visual’ approach to medicine. Government measures significantly reduced resistance to digitalization.”
“The social acceptance of having to ‘show your credentials’,”
She continues, “The need to ‘show a white hand’ – proving compliance through testing and apps – became socially acceptable. This facilitated control and access to social activities, encouraging the digital mediation of various aspects of life, including education.”
The violence of Exclusion
“The use of these technologies is accompanied by increased exclusion and discrimination for those lacking access or resisting their use,” Professor Cerqui points out. “Resistance stemmed from defending individual freedom against public health overreach.Though, the convenience of immediate service without travel or contact strongly supports the advancement of this type of society, legitimizing these instruments of exclusion.”
“Paradoxically, these biotechnologies and information technologies are promoted as tools for equality, not only by their creators but also by the political world. the narrative suggests that universal connectivity will lead to equal access to knowledge,prosperity,and health. Each technological advancement reinforces this ideology, with artificial intelligence currently at the forefront.”
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The COVID-19 Vaccine: A Turning Point in Societal Health?
The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically reshaped our understanding of health, prompting a reevaluation of the World Health Institution’s definition: the absence of disease and infirmity, coupled with physical, mental, and social well-being. The pandemic highlighted a tension between this definition and the modern,often technology-driven,pursuit of enhanced well-being. The crisis initially forced a return to a more basic understanding of health, as non-essential comforts where stripped away. Government restrictions, implemented to save lives, sparked resistance, illustrating the complexities of balancing individual liberties with public health mandates.
The subsequent rollout of COVID-19 vaccines marked a second phase. Authorities framed vaccination as a pathway back to normalcy, implying that participation in technoscience was essential for full societal reintegration. This created a societal divide, with those hesitant to vaccinate facing accusations of disregard for public well-being. This shift fundamentally altered the conditions of social participation.
Conditions of social participation profoundly transformed
The widespread acceptance of the vaccine raises critical questions about societal values and the role of technology in shaping social norms. The rapid deployment of a relatively untested technology underscores a meaningful reliance on technoscientific promises and a willingness to accept government-mandated interventions. This highlights a potential shift towards a society where adherence to technoscience dictates social inclusion.
The pandemic exposed a societal prioritization of economic productivity over other values. The argument that individuals must remain healthy to consume and produce reflects a “homo œconomicus” worldview. This perspective could be challenged by prioritizing alternative societal values, such as fostering genuine social connections and community.
Blind Faith in Science?
The massive public support for the COVID-19 vaccine, despite its untested nature, reveals a profound trust in scientific promises. This trust, fueled by initial pandemic panic and the promise of a quick solution, led to widespread acceptance. The rapid deployment, bypassing the typical lengthy testing periods, provided a sense of immediate relief. This highlights the power of scientism—the unquestioning belief in science—as a belief system that frequently enough operates under the guise of neutrality and objectivity.
While the vast majority embraced vaccination, pockets of resistance emerged and were amplified by media coverage. This allowed some to question established norms, particularly concerning childhood vaccination and the potential risks of pharmaceutical products. Such questioning, however, often faces significant societal pressure given the pervasive influence of technoscientific discourse.
The COVID-19 pandemic served as a stark reminder of the complex interplay between public health, individual liberties, and societal values. The widespread acceptance of the vaccine, while ultimately contributing to pandemic control, also raises important questions about the future of health, social inclusion, and the role of technology in shaping our lives. Further research and open dialog are crucial to navigate these challenges and ensure a healthier and more equitable future for all Americans.
Pandemic tech and the Future of Humanity: An Interview with Dr. Daniela Cerqui
The COVID-19 pandemic ushered in an era of unprecedented reliance on technology, from contact tracing apps too telemedicine and rapid vaccine development. While these advancements offered crucial tools to combat the virus, they also raised concerns about surveillance, social control, and the shifting definition of human health. Anthropologist Dr.Daniela Cerqui, a Professor at the University of Geneva, offers a critical perspective on these developments, exploring the pandemic’s impact on our relationship with technology and the future of human well-being.
World Today News Senior Editor: Dr. Cerqui, we saw a rapid acceleration in the adoption of various technologies during the COVID-19 pandemic. How has this experience reshaped our understanding of health and well-being?
Dr. Daniela Cerqui: The pandemic exposed a growing trend towards viewing health as something we can hack, optimize, and ultimately control. This pursuit was evident in the rapid development and deployment of vaccines, presented as a technological solution to a complex biological crisis. While these advancements are important, they also reflect a broader societal shift towards viewing humans as mutable entities, constantly in need of improvement through technological intervention.
World Today News senior Editor: You mentioned a shift in our understanding of health. Did the pandemic force us to reconsider the World Health Organization’s definition of health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being”?
Dr. Daniela Cerqui: The pandemic presented a stark contrast between this idealistic definition and the realities of a health crisis. We were confronted with a more basic understanding of health – simply surviving.
Suddenly,many non-essential comforts were stripped away,exposing vulnerability and highlighting the precariousness of our systems. Government restrictions, while necessary to protect public health, sparked widespread debate about the balance between individual liberties and societal well-being.
World Today News Senior Editor: Telemedicine saw a significant surge during the pandemic. What are the long-term implications of this shift towards remote healthcare?
Dr. Daniela Cerqui: Telemedicine undoubtedly offers convenience and increased accessibility for many. Though, we must be wary of its potential to further dehumanize healthcare, emphasizing a visual assessment of patients rather than a hands-on approach.
The pandemic normalized a reliance on digital tools for everything from doctor’s appointments to social interaction. This increased acceptance of digital mediation in our lives could have significant implications for our understanding of human connection and the role of physical presence in healthcare.
World Today News Senior Editor: You’ve been critical of the idea that technology can be used to achieve global health and well-being.
Dr. Daniela Cerqui: While technology can be a powerful tool, it’s crucial to avoid framing it as a panacea for all societal ills. The rhetoric surrounding artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies often promotes an “techno-solutionist” approach that overlooks the complex social,economic,and ethical challenges we face.
Furthermore, the reliance on digital technologies can exacerbate existing inequalities, excluding those without access or the ability to adapt to these rapidly changing landscapes.
World Today News senior Editor: What are some of the ethical dilemmas we need to consider as we move forward in this era of increasingly sophisticated technologies?
Dr. Daniela Cerqui: We need open and honest discussions about the responsible development and deployment of these technologies. Concerns about data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the potential misuse of biometric data are paramount.
Moreover,we must be mindful of the potential to erode individual autonomy and agency as we delegate more and more decision-making to machines. ultimately, we need to resist the temptation to view technology as a swift fix for complex problems and recognize the importance of human ingenuity, empathy, and social connection in shaping a better future.
