Metropolis and Multiple Subsumption

Abstract

This text analizes phagocytosis processes of behaviors and subjectivities - multiple sumbsumption - in contemporary capitalism, which is based on ICT (Information and Communication Technologies), as well as on technoscientific and social knowledge. We start from two premises: a) work constitutes an assymetrical power relationship and, moreover, it is not an stable concept; b) in capitalistic systems, work (labor force) is the only factor in adding value. From here on, we verify that a qualitative change has been produced in general coordinates of social formations, one of which features comes from the fact that value law has seen an unprecedented spreading. The social form “metropolis” - general frame of structures and processes - is the result of these transformations. One of the features of this new picture is the combination of various techno-organitazional modalities in the social and economical aspect. This aspect is worked by systems and dynamics, where there are no distinction between what is called productive and what is not productive apparently, where there is a capture of behaviors and knowledges (language, sociability, cognitive sketches etc.), resulting in the superseding of Marx's reductionism of “general intellect”. On the other side, it is verified that the increase in value has become, rather than economical relationship, power or political relationship; macro and micro relationship including the State and biopower. Finally, it is to be emphasized, on the contrary, the episodic irruption of space/time fragments of “self-determined activity”, momentary and unpredictable fracture.