The Dystopians:

Approaching Technology From a Critical Perspective


Home

Introduction

Confronting the Machine

Visions of the Future

The Neo-Luddites

What's Wrong With Technology?

Cyberspace

The Digital Divide

Technology and Community

Technology and Happiness

Conclusion

References
Cyberspace

Cyberspace is made up of representations of reality, rather than reality itself. In this respect, it is no different from television, films, and books. Indeed, it can be argued that langage itself is simply representation. The question, then, is not whether cyberspace is less "real" than other forms of communication, but rather whether it has any inherent advantages or disadvantages compared with other forms of communication. Does, for example, writing a letter have any advantage over sending email, or is reading a book preferable to surfing the internet?

Communication Entertainment Information
Basic person-to-person person-to-person person-to-person
Print letters books, newspapers, etc. books, newspapers, etc.
Electric telephone, fax, etc. radio, tv, vcr, etc. radio, tv, microfiche, etc.
Electronic email (internet) internet internet

As indicated in the table above, the internet has the capability of integrating communication, entertainment, and information services into one, and may, in some not-too-distant future, completely supercede the print and electric modes of delivery. At such a point, computer use and literacy will be absolutely vital for survival and success in the future community. Becoming overly dependent on a single form of technology has risks, particularly if that technology should fail or be found to have major flaws. How it affects educational requirements and economic production are also important issues. In "Social Controversies About Computing" 10, Rob Kling raises 12 potential areas of concern as we move into the computer age:

  • Worklife
  • Class Divisions in Society
  • Human safety and Critical Computer Systems
  • Democratization
  • Employment
  • Education
  • Gender Biases
  • Military Security
  • Health
  • Computer literacy
  • Privacy and Encryption
  • Scholarship


How technology affects each of these areas of life is worthy of extensive research, and beyond the scope of this survey. However, the list indicates the scope and depth of the challenges that the new technology poses.



Created by Aaron Francis. April 2005. Contact: sundapop@yahoo.com