[iDC] Re: a critique of naturalized capitalism

[Ryan Griffis]

On Apr 7, 2007, at 8:25 AM, Nicholas Ruiz III wrote:

> I'm not sure I understand the question...could you
> elaborate a bit...?
>
> NRIII

i'm questioning the use of the phrase "decided by virtue of our birth  
as living capitalized beings, driven by the currency of the Code..."
There are two paths that seem to be suggested by this language, but  
correct me if i'm wrong:
1. This (capitalism) is Nature as code, an indifferent system that is  
not explainable through social/cultural systems, but is a phenomenon  
of the Universe that is reducible only to observable mechanisms.
2. This (capitalism) is Nature as metaphysical "Code", written into  
the specifically "human nature" as sin is attributed to all humans  
"by virtue of our birth" in Judeo/Christian terms.

Either way, capitalism (as both an ideology and material system) is  
unavoidable and evolutionary, as well as totalizing. As if there is/ 
cannot be other ideologies/systems parallel to it, that are not  
merely false or mythical.
If this is the case being stated, i'm not sure what the meaning of  
the term "capitalism" might be, as in either case, it becomes  
synonymous with "Nature" and/or "Human."
Obviously, i would disagree with such an assertion - hence my  
recalling of Dawkins' "selfish gene" theory (which, to simplify, is  
the notion that the behavior we call "selfish" or "self- 
interestedness" (the traits, not coincidentally, most celebrated by  
capital) is "hard-wired" into us genetically).
If what's being stated is not this, and is just using the language of  
"Code" (the capital "C" is part of what caught my attention) and  
"genetic protocol" rhetorically and metaphorically, then i think it's  
a bit problematic as a critical gesture, as it evades critically  
through naturalization. It seems, to me, to dismiss the importance of  
the political, rather than locating it.
best,
ryan
>
>
> --- Ryan Griffis <ryan.griffis at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>
>> On Apr 2, 2007, at 11:03 AM,
>> idc-request at mailman.thing.net wrote:
>>
>>> Herein lies the importance of the political.  It
>> is
>>> not that we will not be capitalists--this has
>> already
>>> been decided by virtue of our birth as living
>>> capitalizing beings, driven by the currency of the
>>> Code; that genetic protocol of environmental
>> utility
>>> and capitalization.  Every breath we take is a
>>> capitalization on the environment we exist
>> within...
>>
>> does the word "capitalism" mean anything specific
>> here?
>> sounds like a "selfish gene" argument to me.