Can Information and Communication Technology Really Heal Democracy?

Advances in technology has altered the world as we know it, and it can only progress farther. Through the minds of many intelligent and devoted individuals across time technology has developed into a twenty first century deity. A young child one hundred years ago could never envision a world like ours today, ruled by ones and zeros. The media has affected us in ways that we can’t even comprehend and will continue to steadily provide humans with a faster and faster flow of information for years to come. But what is the cost to have all of the information you can imagine at your fingertips? The exponential increase in information that we process in all forms of media is affecting the way that we live by making society more alienated.

The Internet has been changing the world since it is created. As a part of new media, social media is a fundamental shift in the way we communicate. It has been helped to create a digital global village that 26% of the world’s population is using social media and the number is keep increasing. (Qualman, 2013) This essay will attempt to discuss how has the social media changed the public sphere, mainly focus on the improvement of public participation, social relations and information dissemination. Also Mainland China is taken as an example to show that social media enabling democracy in a developing country. Social media is also being used in good ways to spread information. There are some disadvantages to be analyzed, too. The issues like lack of privacy, social media violence and social media out of control will be discussed in this essay.

Modern technology has seen many debates about its usefulness, its relevance, and its impact on society. Two main parties have bound together, one arguing that the impact of modern technological advancements has had a positive effect on society, while the other side believes that it only makes things worse. In their argumentative pieces, Charles Seife and Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen address the issue of technology in the modern world, although their arguments vary drastically, through the use of various rhetorical devices.

The use of technology has catalyzed society into an era that is increasingly interconnected yet impersonal at the same time. Despite technology’s endless list of assets, many fail to acknowledge its shortcomings when mentioning what is lost as a result of using it. Although in “Great to Watch” by Maggie Nelson, she is not afraid to share her skepticism of technology, as well as the role it plays in desensitizing individuals on a day-to-day basis. The internet is an invaluable resource to many because it is a public domain for sharing ideas, opinions, and knowledge that any and everyone can have access to. In a sense, it does not restrict what someone may see or do, and this can either be a good thing or a bad thing. The booming use of new media

Taylor discusses in chapter 4; Unequal Uptake, her take on the inequalities and realities of web 2.0, and that while the web is a great tool to be used and it does provide connectedness, we have yet to achieve true cultural democracy. With this, she takes into account of what the media boosters think about the accessibility of the internet and how it empowers those who take the time to use it. They would argue that now with the internet we are all hyper-connected and this makes us hyper-empowered, and should we thrive in using this new system become hyper-democratic. However, it is a problem to say the internet has inequalities because it is very ambiguous in terms of the web and the amount of inequalities and factors playing are quite expansive. One of the clearer issues that Taylor points out is the monetary division among internet users, where the rich can afford what is described as the super highway of web, high speed, and the secondary class of internet, wireless, is left to the financially challenged. In the participation of the rich and large monopoly companies like Amazon, Google, and so forth is what creates the difficulty for niche cultures and late bloomers to flourish using the web. But this lack of openness is not the only problem as when the web evolves it is becoming harder to maintain diversity because it is turning into a much more personalized entity, meaning the exposure to difference may be decreasing as our ‘filter bubbles’ become more apparent. She illustrates that the big difference in the real world as opposed to the virtual is that we are focused on the wrong things, things that please us, that may make us famous, etc. but we should be finding new ways to confront opportunity in order for the digital democracy to come to

Although some might argue the internet helps us better understand the world around us, Charles Seife and Danah Boyd and , I think that the internet has narrowed people’s opinions and has divided/polarized us. In their works “The Loneliness of the interconnected” and “inequality” Seife and Boyd explain the problem with the media and how it has changed people drastically.

In today's society there is no escape from technology. We are completely submerged in our iPhone, ipads, computers, and gaming systems. These gadgets give us the opportunity to be connected to each other and the rest of the world at all times. But, this is not a glorious step in history. Technology blinds us from the real world. As John Tudor said, “Technology makes it possible for people to gain control over everything, except technology.” We may run our lives with the help of our iPhones and computers, but do these forms of technology in turn control us? At first glance these new advances are greater steps to making our lives easier. But, when examined closely a large portion of technology is the cause of many problems in our society.

Over this past decade or so, people all around the globe have been granted with greater advancements in technology. From cellphones we can talk to, to 3-Dimensional televisions, we are able to pretty much do anything thanks to these high-tech products. But, should we really be grateful for these easy-to-use devices, or are they taking over the lives of millions? In the articles written by Michael Malone and Daniel Burrus, we receive an inside look on whether todays modern, wired, Web world is, or is not, benefitting society. Although both authors held pretty neutral views on the subject itself, Malone’s support towards the negative effect of technology definitely lures readers into

Though certainly not in use during the eighteenth century, today the internet has become the main platform by which Americans communicate. For instance, celebrities and public figures such as Justin Timberlake and Paul Ryan can easily let the whole country know of an upcoming tour or law in two hundred eighty characters or less. Additionally, the internet has provided a level of ease in not only communication but also everyday life. Groceries and clothes can be purchased online through Amazon; bills are increasingly being paid through digital means; job profiles are available through Linkedin. This last one especially is important for the right of Americans to the “pursuit of happiness” (Declaration of Independence). With the internet becoming even more fundamental in both communication and work, the burden for the government to ensure the internet’s availability is becoming increasingly more

Technology is used on a daily basis to accomplish specific tasks or interests. Modern technology increases human capabilities and this technology has evolved with years. Technology simplifies life in so many ways and everyone defines technology in their own way. They’re new types of technology on the market, this technology simplifies our daily lives. They’re endless demands as consumers of technology, people use technology to accomplish simple tasks every day. Technology’s used in business, education, communication, healthcare, entertainment and so much more. There’s an unquestionable impact of technology on society. Whether considering the plow, vaccinations, or the internet, technology has had a huge impact on society. While not every advance benefits society, there’s many positive effects of technology. Modern technology makes life more convenient now more than ever. Modern technologies like broadband internet makes it possible to access relevant information at any time anywhere. Today’s technology makes it simple for students to learn from anywhere through online education and mobile education, which improves the education system. It also improves the health system, most hospitals have implemented modern technology in surgical rooms, which may reduce the number of mistakes made by doctors. Modern technology’s more convenient than when it was simpler because, it provides an easy way to access information, improves the education system, and it improves the health system.

Technology itself will not create change because technology is an instrument, but it can be played in many different ways for example being used to engage with knowledgeable strangers. Bremmer says, “The Internet makes it easier for users with political interests to find and engage with others who believe what they believe” (44). The example Bremmer uses is political interests

The film “ Digital Nation” is an exploration of diverse people's views on digital media, in today's world. Some of the most important topics were on the virtual world, and the pros and cons of technology within different groups like gamers, students, families, teachers, administrators, children, military and businesses, as well as the experience of general people. In the movie, Prof. Sherry Turkle said, “Technology challenges us to assert our human values. Technology is not good or bad, is powerful, and it is complicated which means first we have to figure out what they are”. Currently, technology has taken over, wherever one, goes one will find it. Over the past years, social media in particular have spread worldwide; from Facebook to Instagram. There is constantly something new, extra advanced and creative. Overall, the technology has evolved the way humans interact with each other. In particular, technology influences by motivating students towards learning, saving time, building literacy and communication skills.

An immensely prominent aspect of today’s society is technology, which has provided the world with the internet. Though the internet has provided many positive benefits, it has also brought along many negative aspects. In Evgeny Morozov’s article, “Technology’s Role in Revolution. Internet Freedom and Political Oppression” the authors argument revolves around cyber-utopianism and realism in regard to the internets actual function. Morozov’s article attempts to convince the reader the internet is a rather negative tool due to how the function of the internet has been more beneficial to governments by allowing the spread of propaganda and legitimacy, and its aid in authoritarianism. Morozov mainly focuses on how many people often seem to forget how the internet carries negative aspects, resulting in cyber utopianism, “a naïve belief in the emancipatory nature of online communication that rests on a stubborn refusal to acknowledge its downsides.” Morozov argues that cyber utopianism is not a realistic way of viewing the internet due to how the internet operates throughout different countries and because of the effect the internet has had on authoritarianism. Instead of the internet being a tool for the oppressed, Morozov suggests that it has become a bigger aid to governments. Though I do think that the internet is an important aid in helping with world issues, I do agree that there are more negative consequences. This is evident considering some countries barely have access

Certain media theorists such as Sherry Turkle do an incredible job on studying these properties of technology and their bearing on us, but sometimes seem to dwell on the negative side of the analysis. In short some of these media theorists do astonishing work studying the impact socially that using and communicating through modern technology has, but then takes a negative stance due to their archaic understanding of what is capable with these technologies. We have come so far in the past years in advancing humanity and its natural predicaments while being heavily reliant on technology to communicate. Not noting that advancement is pessimistic and

Singaporean society in the context of ICT is perhaps unique because it is different from other countries that readily adopted and promoted similar technologies. Ragnedda believes that 'new digitalized surveillance allowed a new form of social control that tries to direct and influence the behaviour of people', but the technologies themselves are merely tools (2011: 180). As Lee affirms, Singapore considered itself as having a legitimate right to influence and manage the citizenry (2005: 79). Therefore, it is little surprise the Singapore government has considerable surveillance capabilities and does not require a court warrant for monitoring (O’Hara, 2008: 15). Lee asserts that the relatively low level of online public engagement in politics is a product of the PAP's intolerance for political dissent (2005: 78). In many respects, society itself has not changed,