During this ConfusingCodingSituation, we delved into the final chapters of Antony Loewenstein’s "The Palestine Laboratory", focusing on Mass Surveillance and Social Media. Loewenstein examines how Israel has leveraged its ’expertise’ from testing on the Palestinian population to become a global leader in exporting military, cyber, and water technologies.

We begon with a brief overview of the historical relationship between power and technology, highlighting the growing closeness between Big Tech and governments. This set the context for understanding the broader implications of the technologies discussed in the book.

Our discussion then explored the chapters on mass surveillance and social media, analyzing the role of Israeli technologies in these fields. We considered the ethical and social consequences, particularly concerning privacy, freedom of expression, and the global impact of these technologies. We though about how these issues relate to our own lives. The goal of the session was to foster a deeper understanding of these complex topics and to engage in a thoughtful discussion about the balance between technological advancements and civil liberties.

Participants were welcome to read the chapters but they didn’t have to do so to participate. We did not want to cause too much stress and worry about any kind of preparatory work in regards to this reading.

The session took place on Saturday the 6th of July 2024 between 14:00 and 17:00 at Constant office.

For any questions or specific needs, contact imane@constantvzw.org

This session was facilitated by Sakinus, who holds a degree in Literature and Philosophy and is currently working towards a master’s degree in Digital Text Analysis. Her academic focus has consistently centered on post humanism and the transformative effects of technology on culture, human existence, and social interactions. Sakinus’s extensive research in these areas provides her with a deep understanding of the ways in which technological advancements influence and redefine our world.