Podmaster: Bruce Sterling
Podsters: Esther Dyson, Gomma, Andrei Khlobystine, György Simo

Podtheme: The Future of Alternative Society

What might alternative counterculture look like in the 21st century. Suppose for instance that global culture becomes very chaotic, loud and dominated by rapidly moving electronic images. Does this mean that counterculture becomes very quiet, disciplined, and authentic, something like beaux arts? We know what a computer counterculture looks like; what does a biotech counterculture look like? If the President has long hair, does that mean you have to cut yours or risk being co-opted? What if the people in power are on drugs, or having lots of random sex with near-strangers: does this make the counterculture more restrained, sober and puritanical? Can nationality be countercultural in a world where nations are being replaced by trading blocs?

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