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I agree that information (communication) is fundamental to human society. But I don't agree that information technology is a force for equality and decentraliza
by dilemma 10y ago
I agree that information (communication) is fundamental to human society. But I don't agree that information technology is a force for equality and decentralization of power. Over the course of history it's been the opposite - papyrus enabled the the expansion of the Roman empire, the nation state could not exist without paper and printing, and digitalization is creating larger multinational corporations than was possible before, and we will soon see states evolve to a version where it has even more control over citizens.
- ksdale 10y agoThis is an excellent oberservation but I would point out that all of your examples are of one group having a large information technology advantage over another. I think the situation could be different as very powerful IT becomes as widespread and inexpensive as seems to be the trend. Perhaps there is some point where the worst IT is good enough that it's hard to parlay a tech advantage into any form of oppression and at that point it's a tool for equality and decentralization.