Technology and democracy: a paradox wrapped in a contradiction inside an irony.

Democracy Internet misinformation populism social media

Journal

Memory, mind & media
ISSN: 2635-0238
Titre abrégé: Mem Mind Media
Pays: England
ID NLM: 9918231291006676

Informations de publication

Date de publication:
2022
Historique:
entrez: 23 11 2022
pubmed: 24 11 2022
medline: 24 11 2022
Statut: epublish

Résumé

Democracy is in retreat around the globe. Many commentators have blamed the Internet for this development, whereas others have celebrated the Internet as a tool for liberation, with each opinion being buttressed by supporting evidence. We try to resolve this paradox by reviewing some of the pressure points that arise between human cognition and the online information architecture, and their fallout for the well-being of democracy. We focus on the role of the attention economy, which has monetised dwell time on platforms, and the role of algorithms that satisfy users' presumed preferences. We further note the inherent asymmetry in power between platforms and users that arises from these pressure points, and we conclude by sketching out the principles of a new Internet with democratic credentials.

Identifiants

pubmed: 36415623
doi: 10.1017/mem.2021.7
pmc: PMC7613775
mid: EMS156147
pii:
doi:

Types de publication

Journal Article

Langues

eng

Subventions

Organisme : European Research Council
ID : 101020961
Pays : International

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

Conflict of Interest. The authors declare no competing interests.

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Auteurs

Stephan Lewandowsky (S)

School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TU, UK.

Peter Pomerantsev (P)

SNF Agora Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.

Classifications MeSH