THEPUBLICGROUP
Tech Must Evolve
It’s become commonplace, and maybe even a little passé, to describe our own ongoing digital revolution as analogous the advent of Gutenberg’s printing press in the 15th century. Indeed, some points of comparison do continue to seem remarkably apt. Digital technology’s vocal cheerleaders seem all too ready to ignore the potential negative aspects of such improved communication technologies – like the inconvenient historical fact that totalitarian regimes have typically printed far more works of propaganda than they’ve destroyed in book burnings. Dictators figured out quickly that it’s far easier to drown out the voices of opposition than silence them. Pervasive misinformation can do far more damage. It is now possible to access information more easily than ever before and to disseminate message more widely than ever before.
Greater freedom brings with it greater responsibility. We now need experts in every field to exert their authority more powerfully than ever. Reason must lead. Functional democracies (even digital ones) still need organization and leaders. Otherwise we’re left with the chaos of a shouting match.
Having a voice is not the same as knowing how to participate a conversation. Access to information is not the same thing as knowing how to use it. But at least the technology is now available to us all.
Tech Must Evolve
It’s become commonplace, and maybe even a little passé, to describe our own ongoing digital revolution as analogous the advent of Gutenberg’s printing press in the 15th century. Indeed, some points of comparison do continue to seem remarkably apt. Digital technology’s vocal cheerleaders seem all too ready to ignore the potential negative aspects of such improved communication technologies – like the inconvenient historical fact that totalitarian regimes have typically printed far more works of propaganda than they’ve destroyed in book burnings. Dictators figured out quickly that it’s far easier to drown out the voices of opposition than silence them. Pervasive misinformation can do far more damage. It is now possible to access information more easily than ever before and to disseminate message more widely than ever before.
Greater freedom brings with it greater responsibility. We now need experts in every field to exert their authority more powerfully than ever. Reason must lead. Functional democracies (even digital ones) still need organization and leaders. Otherwise we’re left with the chaos of a shouting match.
Having a voice is not the same as knowing how to participate a conversation. Access to information is not the same thing as knowing how to use it. But at least the technology is now available to us all.