the techno-social environment
It’s the social system technology is embedded in that matters
the techno-social environment
It’s the social system technology is embedded in that matters
The Faustian bargain of the digital age—free or cheap digital conveniences in exchange for our data—was only ever explained to us after it was already a done deal. And it represents an enormous and radical shift not only in how we live but also, far more importantly, in what our lives are for. We are all mine sites now, data mine sites, and despite
... See moreThe experience of boredom is contingent. It is culturally, socially, and institutionally produced…Our age features a set of technologies and social conditions that work together to maximize our boredom if we are not constantly diverted from it.
The Sirens Call

From, The Master Switch. Mid-century TV networks were probably the most powerful, centralized information system in history.
It has blurred the distinctions between categories of information—distinctions of form, register, sense, and importance—that the epistemic architecture of the analog era preserved and even accentuated. Content has collapsed, as our adoption of the drab, generic term content to refer to all forms of expression testifies. Everything now has to fit
... See more... See moreAlthough influencers are still closely associated with dance videos, e-commerce, and marketing, their role in shaping public opinion- especially around politics-is outsized. Influencers can harness attention, radiate trust, evoke emotion, and direct energy—all to great effect. They capitalize on atmospheric vibes and intuitions, giving people the
Both top down and bottom up narrative creation happens across media and social media today, and the influencer sits in the middle of the action.
Invisible Rulers