Literal Media Ecology: Crisis in the Conditions of Production

Abstract

This article outlines a socio-political theory appropriate for the study of the ecological repercussions of contemporary media technologies. More specifically, this approach provides a means of assessing the material impacts of media technologies and the representations of capitalist ecological crises. This approach builds on the work of ecological economists, ecosocialist scholars, and Marx’s writings on the conditions of production to argue that capitalism necessarily results in ecological destabilization. Taking Apple’s 2016 Environmental Responsibility Report as a case study, the article uses the theory to analyze Apple’s responses to ecological crises. The article asserts that Apple’s reactions are emblematic of the capitalist compulsion for increasing rates of productivity. However, unless the matter/energy savings achieved through higher rates of productivity surpass the overall increase in the flow of matter/energy in production, ecological crises will continue. Ultimately, capital accumulation ensures continued ecological destabilization.

Creative economies of tomorrow? Limits to growth and the uncertain future

“…Creative, cultural and digital industries and technologies are highly energy-intensive and often egregiously polluting; this includes many of the world's leading digital technology and communications companies, the global film and television industries, publishing, music and the transport, circulation and logistical systems that sustain them (e.g. see Caraway, 2018;Maxwell & Miller, 2017;Murdock, 2018). Furthermore, the idea of absolute "decoupling"that creative technological innovations and efficiency-savings in production will be sufficient to ensure that creative economic growth can continue without fatally damaging ecological capacity 7now looks increasingly unrealistic and far-fetched (Caraway, 2018;Jackson, 2009).…”

“…see Caraway, 2018;Maxwell & Miller, 2017;Murdock, 2018). Furthermore, the idea of absolute "decoupling"that creative technological innovations and efficiency-savings in production will be sufficient to ensure that creative economic growth can continue without fatally damaging ecological capacity 7now looks increasingly unrealistic and far-fetched (Caraway, 2018;Jackson, 2009). That most of its policy-makers have not yet seriously engaged with even the most basic and conventional ideas on sustainabilitylet alone considered the need for other kinds of radical alternativedemonstrates just how far away the creative economy is from developing the political consciousness and will that is required to address the environmental costs of a freely expanding creative economy, and its real ecological limits.…”

From adoration to damnation? Exploring role of media in shaping low-carbon economy in times of the COVID-19 pandemic

“…However, it should be noted that current attempts by the media to improve knowledge of the low-carbon economy are promising. It is crucial now because capital accumulation ensures ecological destabilization (Caraway, 2017 ). An example is the enrichment of the public television programming offer with a programme devoted exclusively to RES.…”

Creative Economy, Degrowth and Aesthetic Limitation

“…Researchers have sought to imagine new post-capitalist 'media ecologies' where technology companies are made to bear the full cost of their exploitation and despoilment of persons and planetary resources (Caraway, 2017). In similar vein, Murdock (2018) has argued for a new 'moral economy of machines' that might help bring media industries to task for their accelerated 'resource depletion, energy use, pollution and waste ' (2018, p. 5).…”