Data Trash: The Theory of the Virtual Class

Introduction
"Data Trash: The Theory of the Virtual Class" is a book authored by Arthur Kroker and Michael A. Weinstein in 1994. The book discusses the increase of the virtual class, which consists of people who have actually gotten power and control through their usage and control of digital technologies. The authors argue that the development of this brand-new class brings about extensive changes in social, economic, and political systems, resulting in the increase of a "post-human" society.

Idea of the Virtual Class
The authors specify the virtual class as a new social class, unique from the standard working class and the bourgeoisie. This class has positioned itself at the forefront of technological developments, using them to produce and acquire control over digital networks, info flows, and virtual spaces. The virtual class is defined by its proficiency over these innovations, paving the way for a new form of worldwide control and supremacy.

Through this digital control, the virtual class likewise manipulates the economy and the conventional class structure by extending its reach beyond the limits of physical spaces. As an outcome, the virtual class is a dominating force that transcends geopolitical limitations, substantially affecting the distribution of resources, power, and wealth in the worldwide landscape.

The Post-Human Society
Kroker and Weinstein argue that the increase of the virtual class leads to a "post-human" society-- a society in which the body and mind are modified, enhanced, or even changed by digital technologies. With the increasing universality of electronic gadgets, the internet, social networks, and virtual truths, humans end up being more interconnected and enmeshed in digital networks.

This new post-human society is defined by an acceleration of time and space, as individuals are continuously connected and the borders in between work and leisure dissolve. This change likewise results in a shift in human understanding and awareness, with people becoming more reliant on their digital personalities, and less anchored in their physical selves.

Commodification of Human Life
One of the crucial styles explored in "Data Trash" is the commodification of human life. Kroker and Weinstein argue that the virtual class has turned every aspect of life into a product that can be purchased, offered, and traded. Through the procedure of digitization, even the most intimate and individual elements of human life are converted into commodifiable information-- from our relationships, feelings, and personal experiences, to our ideas, memories, and concepts.

This commodification of human life makes it possible for the virtual class to work out greater control over people. In this procedure, the human essence is decreased to a series of information points, removed of its originality and subjectivity, and treated as a simple resource to be mined and processed for financial gain.

Resistance and the Future
While the authors paint a bleak photo of the future dominated by the virtual class, they likewise talk about possible forms of resistance against this new hegemony. The book highlights the value of important thinking, imagination, and collective action as ways to challenge the virtual class's domination.

Throughout the book, Kroker and Weinstein propose alternative models of social organization that resist the dehumanizing propensities of the virtual class. They advocate for a society that focuses on human creativity, autonomy, and self-determination, where using digital innovations is an empowering tool instead of a way of control.

Conclusion
"Data Trash: The Theory of the Virtual Class" offers a thought-provoking and crucial evaluation of the effect of digital innovations on society, economics, and politics. The authors decipher the profound changes caused by the rise of the virtual class and the ensuing development of a post-human society. While the book might come across as downhearted, it also acts as a call to action for people and neighborhoods to challenge the dominating power of the virtual class and pursue a more inclusive and human-centered future.