HCJ Seminar Paper (1.11.12)

Economics

Economics, in this sense is scientific and subjective. Based on fact and according to Karl Popper (1902-1994) cannot be falsified. In his view, policies should be judged as experimental leaving maximum room for self-correction, as stated in his work “The Open Society and its Enemies” (1962). Empiricist John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) claims that it is through falsifying that human nature progresses.

Classical Economist Adam Smith (1723-1790) views people as “calculating machines” designed for maximising pleasure and minimising pain. Otherwise known as Utilitarianism, this moral philosophy is hindered by the State, which is viewed as an obstacle to progress. In “The Wealth of Nations” (1776) he states that richer countries come down to too much state intervention. “The hidden hand of the market” in which all value is derived from trade, when in actuality; people should be allowed to be free.

This is the crisis of Capitalism, claimed by Karl Marx (1818-1883) with which the “Iron Law of Wages” will inevitably lead to the fall of Western Civilisation. There is a constant struggle to survive (Charles Darwin, 1809-1882) as humans use up resources to their maximum limit. A prime example being the Golden Age of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, whereby the economic boom lead to high levels of inflation, causing mass unemployment. The rise in monetary value reduced the right of human freedom in the modern world.

The Electronic Mode Code - Can You Crack It?

This is the question on GCHQ's state-of-the-art transmitters as the intelligence agency use social networking sites to recruit a new generation of super sleuths.

According to The Daily Telegraph (1/12/11), GCHQ has introduced an internet-based code-breaking game "tracking down" people with the skills for successful hacking in an attempt to combat the high levels of cyber crime present in the current computer age.

This unconventional method differs greatly from their previous attempt, in which they would invite particularly bright students, notably students from Oxford and Cambridge, for a "cup of tea and a chat".

McChesney (1998) defines Political Economy (PE) as "the nature of the relationship of media and communications systems to the broader structure of society" - shaping the way we see the world.

From a PE viewpoint, GCHQ is exercising a certain degree of power over society. Arguably, they are using this exercise to categorize people into levels of intelligence and ultimately, how spy-worthy they are.

This kind of power signifies the decline in the necessity of education by seeking people who are "self taught" in the art of computer hacking. It is made clear that this new media is "socially shaping" the way we view the world as it is made more accessible to the public. 

This is something we would associate with a Capitalist Economic System.

I have skills.

All information and quotes sourced from The Daily Telegraph (1/12/11). 
For more information, visit: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/.

Additional Sources:

- Lister, M 

 "New Media: An Introduction" (2009)