Autonomy is not Anarchy

I think we can learn a lot from our cells. And yes, we have advantages they don’t: we can be multi-faceted in our membership in social organisms, and in the types of contribution we make (not only one thing).

But for every activity our cells coordinate, they developed protocols to communicate and cooperate. Operating by such protocols is not anarchy at all, any more than every driver being able to steer their own car is anarchy. Following protocols like driving on the correct side of the road, and stopping for lights/stop signs, is exactly what makes coordination among free agents on such a large scale NOT be anarchy, but fairly orderly.

There’s nothing “technopunk” about protocols. It’s how we speak. How we write. How we greet each other. The fact that digital technologies have provided new capacities for communication and coordination is just a fact — we have “nervous system” level potentials now. Instantaneous communication across the globe, not just for broadcast, but for free agents (like car drivers).

So what are the protocols we need to get beyond this mess we’ve made?