Technology is politics

I have been writing "technology is politics" for years but only now are political columnists jumping on the bandwagon. Any technological progress, any new device, any new service cannot be evaluated on its own. Technology is very much intertwined with society, economics, military and politics.  

So, when I read a news story that said Facebook will push forth free broadband internet, I cannot discuss it without talking about its political impact on countries that will receive free internet. Or I cannot help but wonder what the main purpose of the EU going after American firms like Apple and Uber is. Is it really because Uber is considered illegal or is it because the EU wants its own version of Uber to prosper? Is a 14.5 billion dollar fine against Apple by the EU a just decision or a politically motivated punishment? Apple CEO Tim Cook put this in a very "delicate" phrase when he called the decision "total political crap."

When I read that the MTA Oruç Reis seismic vessel, built by Turkish engineers in a domestic shipyard in Istanbul, is ready to explore oil and gas, I read this as a bold statement by the Turkish government rather than a technological achievement. In the same manner, when Turkey decides to buy Russian S-400's or when Turkish Airlines buys six 777-300ERs and 20 Next-Generation 737-800s from Boeing, it also gives a political message. 

In the next 25 years, the real war will not be fought on battlefields, but will be fought between technology firms in global markets. Any entity to lose the war in the most users or the most transactions will lose not only money but the future as well. That's why China is pushing for its own internet business for global dominance, while American firms are struggling with legislations all around...