Alf Hornborg Books

Exploring the influence of money and technology on societal and ecological dynamics, the book highlights the troubling outcomes of these relationships. It proposes innovative solutions for redesigning these systems to foster justice and sustainability. Targeted at scholars and advanced students, it intersects various fields including environmental studies, economics, archaeology, and social theory, making it a comprehensive resource for understanding and addressing contemporary challenges.

The book critiques the prevailing view of modern technology, highlighting how it creates unequal resource distribution and exacerbates global polarization. Hornborg argues for a rethinking of technology as a cultural power rather than a mere tool, using economic anthropology to dissect concepts like production and capital. He emphasizes the importance of understanding capital accumulation at the intersection of natural and social sciences. This work is vital for those studying anthropology, ecology, economics, and environmental justice, offering a fresh perspective on contemporary crises.

Challenging the prevalent belief in the unifying progress of technology, this book explores the notion that our understanding of technology may be a cultural illusion. It posits that modern technological advancement represents a global 'zero-sum game,' where wealthier regions benefit at the expense of poorer communities and environments. By examining the uneven distribution of resources and the consequences it entails, the author invites readers to reconsider the true impact of technological development on society and the planet.

Exploring the emergence of money, this book delves into its profound social and ecological impacts. It offers insights into how financial systems shape human interactions and environmental conditions. Targeted at scholars across various disciplines, including anthropology, sociology, and economics, it encourages a multidisciplinary approach to understanding money's role in society and its potential consequences on cultural and ecological landscapes.

The book explores the concept that technology acts as counterfeit organisms, creating an illusion of replacing human capabilities. It argues that machines do not truly substitute human bodies; rather, they serve to shift workloads and environmental impacts out of our immediate awareness. Through this lens, the author challenges readers to reconsider the role of technology in our lives and its implications for human labor and ecological sustainability.

Modern thought on economics and technology is no less magical than the world views of non-modern peoples. This book reveals how our ideas about growth and progress ignore how money and machines throughout history have been used to exploit less affluent parts of world society.