A New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice. Selected for the 2023 National Book Foundation’s Science + Literature Program.
“A brilliant and empathetic guide to the far corners of global capitalism.” –Jenny Odell, author of How to Do Nothing
From FSGO x Logic: stories about rural China, food, and tech that reveal new truths about the globalized world
In Blockchain Chicken Farm, the technologist and writer Xiaowei Wang explores the political and social entanglements of technology in rural China. Their discoveries force them to challenge the standard idea that rural culture and people are backward, conservative, and intolerant. Instead, they find that rural China has not only adapted to rapid globalization but has actually innovated the technology we all use today.
From pork farmers using AI to produce the perfect pig, to disruptive luxury counterfeits and the political intersections of e-commerce villages, Wang unravels the ties between globalization, technology, agriculture, and commerce in unprecedented fashion. Accompanied by humorous Sinofuturist recipes that frame meals as they transform under new technology, Blockchain Chicken Farm is an original and probing look into innovation, connectivity, and collaboration in the digitized rural world.
FSG Originals Logic dissects the way technology functions in everyday lives. The titans of Silicon Valley, for all their utopian imaginings, never really had our best interests at heart: recent threats to democracy, truth, privacy, and safety, as a result of techs reckless pursuit of progress, have shown as much. We present an alternate story, one that delights in capturing technology in all its contradictions and innovation, across borders and socioeconomic divisions, from history through the future, beyond platitudes and PR hype, and past doom and gloom. Our collaboration features four brief but provocative forays into the tech industrys many worlds, and aspires to incite fresh conversations about technology focused on nuanced and accessible explorations of the emerging tools that reorganize and redefine life today.
Dive into the captivating world of rural China's technological revolution with Xiaowei Wang's groundbreaking book, *Blockchain Chicken Farm (FSG Originals x Logic)*. This isn't your typical tech-utopian narrative; Wang offers a refreshingly critical and deeply empathetic exploration of how technology is reshaping everyday life in unexpected and often overlooked corners of the globe. A *New York Times Book Review* Editors' Choice and a selection for the 2023 National Book Foundation's Science + Literature Program, *Blockchain Chicken Farm* dismantles preconceived notions about rural communities and reveals them as hotbeds of innovation, adaptation, and resilience. Wang challenges the stereotype of rural China as backward and conservative, instead presenting a vibrant tapestry of individuals and communities actively shaping and being shaped by the digital age. Forget Silicon Valley's self-congratulatory narratives. Wang takes us on a journey through China's countryside, where pork farmers are leveraging AI to optimize their livestock, where e-commerce villages are transforming local economies, and where the lines between authenticity and imitation blur in the world of disruptive luxury counterfeits. Through meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Wang uncovers the intricate connections between globalization, technology, agriculture, and commerce. More than just a study of technological advancements, *Blockchain Chicken Farm* delves into the complex social and political ramifications of these changes. Wang's keen observations expose the power dynamics at play, the challenges faced by rural communities navigating the digital landscape, and the innovative solutions they are developing to thrive in a rapidly changing world. The book illuminates how rural communities are not simply passive recipients of technology but active participants in its evolution, often leading the way in adapting and innovating in ways that challenge Western-centric views of progress. Adding a unique and playful element to the narrative are the "Sinofuturist" recipes interspersed throughout the book. These recipes serve as metaphors, transforming familiar dishes into reflections on the shifting culinary landscape under the influence of new technologies. They offer a sensory and thought-provoking way to engage with the themes of innovation and transformation explored in the book. *Blockchain Chicken Farm* is part of the FSG Originals Logic series, which aims to dissect the role of technology in our lives with a critical and nuanced lens. This collaboration seeks to move beyond the platitudes and PR hype surrounding Silicon Valley, offering a more honest and insightful perspective on the contradictions and innovations of the tech industry across borders and socioeconomic divisions. If you're seeking a book that challenges conventional wisdom, expands your understanding of globalization, and offers a fresh perspective on the intersection of technology and culture, *Blockchain Chicken Farm* is a must-read. It's a thought-provoking exploration of the future of innovation and a testament to the ingenuity and resilience of rural communities in the face of rapid change. Xiaowei Wangs work has garnered praise for its insightful analysis and empathetic portrayal of the subjects, establishing the author as a significant voice in contemporary discussions on technology and society. Prepare to have your assumptions challenged and your perspectives broadened as you embark on this fascinating journey through the digital landscapes of rural China.