← Back to Concept Index
metronormativity
The normative belief that urban life is superior to rural life, framing rural people as backward and in need of salvation through technology.
1 chapter across 1 book
Blockchain Chicken Farm (2020)Xiaowei Wang
Chapter 4
The chapter introduces the author's experience staying in a rural Chinese village to explore the impact of e-commerce and technology on rural life, challenging prevailing urban-centric assumptions known as metronormativity. It reflects on the interconnectedness of rural and urban worlds, the material and ecological realities of agriculture, and the need to rethink binaries around technology and human experience. The author emphasizes compassion and imagination as essential to addressing global crises and fostering a more inclusive future beyond simplistic dichotomies.