y2k and flawed mindsets (2nd draft)

[Roberto Verzola <rverzola@phil.gn.apc.org>]

                 TRANSFORMING THE SYSTEM:
               Y2K-RELATED FLAWED MINDSETS

           ,---> Cost (min.) --> COST       * social costs
          |            |       EXTERNALIZ.  * ecological costs
          |            |                    * future costs
 ,----> Input          |                    * false cost-acctng.
 |        |            |                      (e.g., GNP)
 |        |            |
 |        `--> Volume (max.) --> GLOBALISM  * one big system
 |                     |           |        * "there is no
 |                     |           |           alternative"
 |                     |           |
 |                     |           |        * global
GAIN <------------> QUANTIF. <====='----->    financial
MAX.                 FETISH  <-----.          bubble
 |                     |           |
 |                     |           |
 |                     |           |
 `---> Xfer function (max.) --> TECHNO-     * technofixes
                                WORSHIP     * "value-free"
                                            * "rational"
                                            * corp.-directed
                                            * technomalies
Notes:

1. This is an effort to identify the flawed mindsets which gave rise
   to the Y2K problem, allowing it to remain unsolved and become a
   major threat to society before it received attention. These are the
   same flawed mindsets which are allowing economic and ecological
   problems to remain unsolved, presumably until they become a major
   threat to human survival.

2. Gain-maximization is a growth-oriented mindset which knows no
   limit. It is done by maximizing the input as well as the transfer
   function (amount of output per unit input).

3. While they maximize the input volume, gain-maximizers try to
   minimize the input cost.

4. These optimizations need all factors to be quantified, resulting in
   a fetish for quantification.

5. A major way to minimize cost is to "externalize" it to other social
   sectors, to the environment, or to the future (ie, postponement).
   Costs can also be falsely counted as gain (e.g., GNP). Cost
   postponement was a major factor in creating the Y2K problem.

6. The input volume is maximized by covering a bigger area, until the
   whole globe is covered. Globalism is an intrusive mindset that will
   not leave any person or community alone. It is the globalization of
   the computing infrastructure, production systems, the financial
   system as well as media which turned the Y2K problem into a major
   crisis.

7. The transfer function is maximized through technology. More
   powerful technologies create more output per unit input. Any
   anomaly they cause are solved with even more powerful fixes, which
   in turn can cause even bigger problems. Because of quantification,
   today's technologies claim they are "rational" and "value-free".
   Blind and total dependence on technology makes the Y2K crisis an
   issue of survival.

8. Gain-maximization, globalism, and the quantification fetish have
   combined to create a global financial bubble oriented towards
   making a pure quantity like money beget more money, without regard
   for nature, people, and real goods and services. The Y2K problem
   will probably worsen the current global financial crisis, turning
   it into a bubble that can burst anytime.

9. The alternatives to these flawed mindsets are the following:
     gain-maximization        -         precautionary principle
     externalizing costs      -         fairness principle
     quantification fetish    -         quality principle
     globalism                -         modularity principle

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