Pondering on whether we are truly at a page-turning moment in history and where it fits the astrology, especially the momentous once-in-250-year Pluto in Capricorn, a thought suddenly struck me about where the world wide web fitted into all of this. Pluto in Capricorn’s thrust is to transform government (and finances) – collapse the old structures and hopefully (though not always) construct better in their place.
Out of the creative and chaotic turmoil of the triple conjunction in Capricorn on the late 1980s/early 1990s, the internet was born which has consequences good and bad. On the upside, it has given ordinary people a voice; and activist groups are able to connect with others of like mind to build up a critical mass that makes a difference. Twitter is now invaluable in revolutions and disasters for spreading the word. So a political force for good.
Though as Edward Tenner points out in his book: “Why Things Bite Back: Technology and the Revenge of Unintended Consequences” there is usually an unwanted reaction to any action. For example, design a super-antibiotic and a super-resistant bug follows.
The downside to the internet is that the monolithic social media giants designed to harvest gargantuan sums of money in advertising revenues have been hi-jacked by those of ill-intent wishing to deliver ideological and political messages to voters. In the USA two thirds get their news from Facebook and other social media platforms. News including the fake stuff now goes viral along with pandemic fads driven by mob zeal.
The WWW was launched on 6 August 1991 as an information-sharing system initially useful for academics and scientists. It was born with Uranus Neptune North Node in Capricorn sextile Pluto in Scorpio and Saturn in geeky Aquarius – Uranus Neptune is inspired, tinged with genius and prone to fanaticism. Once an idea takes hold, Uranus Neptune won’t let go, no matter what evidence is produced to the contrary, so at times detached from reality. As a footnote, the Black Moon Lilith sits conjunct the WWW Uranus Neptune. She represents female rage against domination.
There are two ways in which the internet impacts forcefully on politics. One is the spread of false information. The other, and I tread delicately here, is the question of whether giving the common man/woman a stronger voice always leads to better results.
We in the west are wedded to the notion that democracy is a good thing and the internet initially seemed to offer a golden opportunity for a more inclusive politics. Yet Plato’s aphorism, from 2500 years back, that “the problem with democracy is that it elevates opinion above knowledge” does have an uncomfortable ring of truth for today. He also thought that political systems which followed citizens’ impulses rather than pursuing the common good, mistook anarchy for freedom and were typically run by fools. The Romans gave the mob bread and circuses to keep them happy; politicians telling voters what they want to hear – Trump (MAGA) and Brexit (£350 million for the NHS) spring to mind – aren’t much different.
So a mix of lies which pander to the voters’ selfish interests, or suit the malign agenda of those seeking to destabilise, sit on one side of Pluto’s battle for better government. The other side is a genuine opportunity to make ordinary people better informed in the choices they make and give a voice to the silent majority. Previous experiences of Pluto in Capricorn from the past do suggest it promotes justice, culture and learning rather than chaos. Getting its act together this time round still seems a ways off.
It’s Edward Tenner, not Jenner.
Thought provoking article. Thanks.