Fuchs & Cosmopolis

After completing the reading by Christian Fuchs, titled “Capitalism or Information Society?”, Fuchs questions if we live within a time of late capitalism or and informational society. There is further discussion about the connection between the capitalist class and information society and how they should not be seen as polar opposites. 

I found this reading applicable to the movie Cosmopolis. In the movie, there is a scene where Robert Pattinson’s character Eric Packer uses a highly advanced technological device to look at information within the means of his limo. Additionally, there is another scene of protest within the movie. With that said, Packer would represent the capitalist class and the protesters would represent the ones producing the information.  These two scenes demonstrate how easily information is accessed by anyone wherever they may be. In addition, the protest represents how there is a struggle for those who are not “capitalist” but living in an information society. I believe that this movie highlights the true capitalist nature of our society of how ultimately we produce information but yet do not benefit as the 1% does. This concept also connects to the concept of free labour. Another point I found interesting about the movie is the protest scene. The movie was to be taken place in 2008. It reminded me of the Occupy movement that took place. Ultimately, there is a struggle between the 1% and the rest of society. This issue still has not been resolved. Though these protests did occur, not much change followed the gap between the classes. I believe that growth of technology makes it harder to reduce the gap as information is continuously being produced yet those producing are not benefiting for doing so. I believe information is the biggest commodity in our world today and will be for a long time.