MythinformationMythinformation Langdon Winner 1986 Langdon Winner 1986MythinformationMythinformationThe almost religious conviction that a widespread adoption of computers and communications systems, along with broad access to electronic information, will automatically produce a better world for humanity. The almost religious conviction that a widespread adoption of computers and communications systems, along with broad access to electronic information, will automatically produce a better world for humanity.Good revolutionaries” inform citizens aboutthe goal, the means, and the coming new orderGood revolutionaries” inform citizens aboutthe goal, the means, and the coming new order GoalsStarting with the French Revolution, the term revolution is tightly connected to a deliberate change towards Social justice Freedom Democracy Means How will the revolutionaries manage the violence and military [they have used for revolutionary purposes] once they are in control? Institutional details Frequent open elections? Decision making, administration, law enforcement GoalsStarting with the French Revolution, the term revolution is tightly connected to a deliberate change towards Social justice Freedom Democracy Means How will the revolutionaries manage the violence and military [they have used for revolutionary purposes] once they are in control? Institutional details Frequent open elections? Decision making, administration, law enforcementBreaking down the political arguments of computer romantics:Breaking down the political arguments of computer romantics: People need more information Information is knowledge Knowledge is power Increasing access to information enhances democracy and equalizes social power People need more information Information is knowledge Knowledge is power Increasing access to information enhances democracy and equalizes social powerConsequences of a revolution…Consequences of a revolution… The consequences of computerization need to be carefully thought through and planned to ensure that the outcomes are desirable. The consequences of computerization need to be carefully thought through and planned to ensure that the outcomes are desirable.Some areas to consider:Some areas to consider: The surveillance state and self-surveillanceIssues of privacy and freedomPeople become passive and compliant in the face of surveillance The alteration of patterns of human sociabilityBecause computers are deliberately introduced to eliminate social layers previously needed to get things done and do away with the reasons people had for being togetherWithout human buffers between institutions of power and individuals, the latter will be more susceptible to external pressure The increasing mobility and un-locatability of power ("rhizomacy")Instantaneous action at any point on the globe, not limited by geography The surveillance state and self-surveillanceIssues of privacy and freedomPeople become passive and compliant in the face of surveillance The alteration of patterns of human sociabilityBecause computers are deliberately introduced to eliminate social layers previously needed to get things done and do away with the reasons people had for being togetherWithout human buffers between institutions of power and individuals, the latter will be more susceptible to external pressure The increasing mobility and un-locatability of power ("rhizomacy")Instantaneous action at any point on the globe, not limited by geographyQuestions???Questions??? When everyone has a computer, everyone will be equally powerful? No. Such a development might give previously disadvantaged people more social influence, but it will not rock the balance of power. When everyone has a computer, everyone will be equally powerful? No. Such a development might give previously disadvantaged people more social influence, but it will not rock the balance of power.Questions???Questions??? Do we really lack information? – No, not really Information alone does not create knowledgeable citizens. People need an educated ability to gain knowledge and to act effectively based on that knowledge. To transform information to knowledge That ability does not come just by having access to information. Do we really lack information? – No, not really Information alone does not create knowledgeable citizens. People need an educated ability to gain knowledge and to act effectively based on that knowledge. To transform information to knowledge That ability does not come just by having access to
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