Beyond Pessimism and Optimism

what is determinism?

philosophy that all natural phenomena, including human behaviour can be explained by the principles of cause and effect

what is hard tech?

tech acts magically on society, we have limited agency and accepts agency on us

what is soft tech?

tech does shape society in ways beyond our control, but in a less law-based and can have unexpected consequences

what is habermas’ perspective?

tech is autonomous force and could mould society but they are tools not agents

what is the pessimism of tech?

we are in danger of believing technological progress is the same as human progress

what is digital power?

formerly impossible becomes possible

decentralisation or social experience

what is further critical arguments?

• info becomes an end to itself

• info overload

• social polarisation and fragmentation

• declining face-to-face interaction

• hopes and dangers of bottom-up mobilisation

• more difficult for government censoring

what is a consumption mindset?

• acquisition

• acceptance

• top-down influence

• centralised

• individualism

what is a participation mindset?

• egalitarian sharing

• creation

• activism

• decentralised

• collectivism

what is Niklas Luhmann’s Perspective Social System Theory?

tech is anything that helps reduce complexity

what is the middle ground?

potential for digital media to affect social change, ut it is undermined