The comic chapter "Back to the Streets" from the Transmetropolitan series by Warren Ellis and Darick Robertson was the first reading we did that typified a dystopian viewpoint of technology. The story followed Spider Jerusalem, a disenchanted journalist who has been living isolated up in the mountain as an unwashed reclose, who has to come back down into the city to fulfill a book contract from which he has already spent his advance. He ends up working as a contract columnist for a newspaper, and his first story is about the clash between humans and transients, who are a mix between humans and aliens. It tells the story of a world where technology is on drugs and there is a separation between the genetically engineered and the natural humans.
In class we discussed the reading of another technology critic. What was most interesting about this discussion was the fact that I found myself agreeing with small parts or sections of the writing, but disagreeing wholeheartedly with his overall point. I think very broadly it lost me in the lack of faith in humanity. I am not one to think that everyone will be a model citizen but I think that you cannot live constantly doubting in people’s ability to do the right thing. I also don't agree with violence as a means to get your point across. I think that no matter your point, using violence in order to be heard devalues and invalidates your perspective, regardless of its correctness.