Framework Glossary

This glossary provides an in-depth look at the terminology, frameworks, and patterns central to understanding how technology reshapes society, creates dependencies, and challenges institutional resilience. It's a reference for navigating key ideas developed throughout the Critical Futures project.

Core Mechanisms of Control

Platform Parasitism

The systematic process by which platforms degrade institutional capacity and social infrastructure to create extractable dependencies. Unlike simple extraction, parasitic platforms actively weaken host systems to prevent independent function and force ongoing dependency.

Platform Parasitism: The Cycle of Degradation

Platform Parasitism Initial Platform Integration Knowledge Disruption Capacity Erosion Dependency Creation Replaces existing systems Fragments expertise Weakens capabilities Forces deeper reliance • Converts direct capabilities into services • Breaks institutional knowledge chains • Isolates professional networks • Creates technical bottlenecks • Prevents independent operation • Accelerates system degradation

Capacity Stripping

The deliberate erosion of institutional ability to function independently through technical systems that convert direct capabilities into platform-dependent services. Creates systematic degradation of organizational knowledge and operational capacity.

Administrative Violence

The use of bureaucratic and technical systems as mechanisms of control and coercion. Converts administrative processes into control points that make resistance procedurally impossible while maintaining appearance of neutral process.

System Degradation Patterns

Crisis Cascades

How system failures compound and accelerate each other. Each failure makes the next more likely, creating accelerating cycles of degradation. Systems are often designed to fail in ways that enable further extraction and control.

Network Resilience Degradation

The systematic weakening of informal support networks and community capacity through platform mediation. Makes communities increasingly vulnerable while appearing to modernize them.

Knowledge Disruption

Breaking continuity of professional practice and institutional memory by converting tacit knowledge into platform metrics. Isolates workers from learning networks while making expertise platform-dependent.

Manufactured Inefficiency

The deliberate creation of system inefficiencies to enable control and extraction. Makes systems complex enough to require specialized interfaces for basic operation while presenting as optimization.

Technical Control Systems

Interface Lockout

When control of technical interfaces becomes de facto control of entire systems. The process where interface access determines operational capability and organizational autonomy.

Algorithmic Feudalism

New forms of control enabled by algorithmic systems and platform dependencies. Creates power relationships based on access to and control of technical systems rather than traditional authority.

Memory Markets

The commodification of institutional knowledge and expertise into tradable platform assets. Converts organizational memory and capability into extractable resources.

Technical Gatekeeping

Using technical systems to control access to essential services and capabilities. Creates artificial scarcity and dependency through interface control.

Institutional Effects

Boring Systems Capture

The takeover of critical but undervalued administrative systems that enable modern stability. The invisible infrastructure of daily life becomes vulnerable through its own success and obscurity.

Knowledge Sovereignty Loss

The inability of communities and institutions to maintain and control their own knowledge systems. Often undermined through technical dependencies and platform capture.

Infrastructure Parasitism

Exploiting and degrading public resources and infrastructure while creating private platform dependencies. Converts public goods into extraction points.

Dependency Creation

The systematic process of making independent operation impossible through technical and platform dependencies. Creates cascading vulnerabilities that force ongoing reliance on private platforms.

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