What do facebook, derrida, and hipsters have in common?

In light of the way the internet is being used today, and the pop culture I see played out right here on Brown's campus, I find this new society of control that Deleuze and Galloway talk about fascinating. I also find it hilarious.

One of the main principles of the society of control is voluntary participation in the protocol, because, as Galloway says, "to follow protocol means that everything possible within that protocol is already at one's fingertips. Not to follow means no possibility." Facebook has already been talked about in relation to previous readings, but I think this social network is an amazing example of this society of control. During college, one doesn't have to make a facebook account. But with invitations being sent out via the network, pictures being posted, addresses being found, and connections being made every and any hour of the day, there are actual implications that affect one's social life should you choose not to participate in this protocol set.

So, here we are, willingly overexposing ourselves. We put a glut of information out for anyone to see (and even if privacy settings are implemented, I'm sure there are plenty of ways around them.) We are allowing our lives to be monitored by anyone who wishes to find out about our movements. It's actually quite chilling to think of how easily someone could track me down based on what is up on that site if s/he wanted to.

Another facet of the society of control, Galloway argues, is that "it is through protocol that one must guide one's efforts, not against it." This statement brings to mind the bricoleur Jaques Derrida talks about in Discourse and Difference who uses the tools available to deconstruct or analyze society. I was surprised neither of the authors mentioned Derrida in their work. Anyway, I see this idea of embracing the protocol to combat control playing out in my own generation's embrace of kitsch, irony, and recycled pop culture in our dress, manner, and activities. Hipsters are too good an example to pass up. One of the better entries on Wikipedia is on The Hipster, and crystallizes all these ideas and practices into one fantastic explanation of this burgeoning "counter" cultural movement.

That's all for now- I have to go put on my skinny jeans, update my facebook profile, download some illegal indie music off livejournal, and participate in the protocol some more.