Walking Makes The Road

The world is undergoing profound transformations catalyzed by digital technologies, especially AI. The development of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and the theoretical possibility of Superintelligence add new dimensions to global power dynamics. These technologies are not emerging in isolation; rather, they are embedded in and co-producing a global system characterized by diminishing nation-state sovereignty, intensifying economic interdependence, and complex transnational governance systems. This lab note argues that AI and its advanced iterations are becoming instrumental in the reconfiguration of global power and the emergence of what may be called post-national imperialism . Theoretical Framework Power is shifting from nation-states to transnational entities, a defining characteristic of globalization. As argued by Saskia Sassen and Manuel Castells, the network society and global city paradigms reveal how capital and influence flow across borders, reshaping the authority ...

Fear-mongering, that is, the strategic dissemination of fear to influence public behavior, has deep historical roots in mechanisms of social control and political influence. With the advent of digital media and artificial intelligence (AI), these practices have entered a new phase characterized by unprecedented reach, speed, and psychological precision. As AI technologies become deeply embedded in public discourse, they are increasingly implicated in the production and dissemination of fear-based content. This lab note examines the intersection of AI and fear-mongering from a sociological perspective. The goal is to understand how AI technologies contribute to collective fear, how they reinforce structural power imbalances, and, on the opposite side, how they may be repurposed to resist manipulation and foster democratic resilience. The analysis combines classical sociological frameworks with emerging literature on algorithmic governance, surveillance capitalism, and digital ethics. Fe...

In the 21st century, the rapid evolution of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), and the anticipated development of Superintelligence have introduced a transformative dynamic into every facet of human life. These technological advances promise tremendous benefits, but they also pose substantial risks to civil rights. This lab note examines the intersection of emerging intelligences and civil rights from both individual and collective perspectives. It explores the current landscape, seeks to anticipate future trends, and evaluates the potential positive and negative impacts on civil liberties on a global scale. Drawing on sociological and philosophical frameworks—including Foucault's theory of biopower and surveillance, Habermas' concept of communicative action and the public sphere, and Critical Race Theory—this analysis seeks to understand not just the technological impacts but also the structural, cultural, and institutional forces that mediate...