The Big Disconnect

Why the Internet Hasn't Transformed Politics (Yet)

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Politics, Practical Politics, Computers, Internet, History, Americas, United States
Cover of the book The Big Disconnect by Micah L. Sifry, OR Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Micah L. Sifry ISBN: 9781939293510
Publisher: OR Books Publication: September 15, 2014
Imprint: Language: English
Author: Micah L. Sifry
ISBN: 9781939293510
Publisher: OR Books
Publication: September 15, 2014
Imprint:
Language: English

Now that communication can be as quick as thought, why hasn’t our ability to organize politically—to establish gains and beyond that, to maintain them—kept pace? The web has given us both capacity and speed: but progressive change seems to be something perpetually in the air, rarely manifesting, even more rarely staying with us.

Micah L. Sifry, a longtime analyst of democracy and its role on the net, examines what he calls “The Big Disconnect.” In his usual pithy, to-the-point style, he explores why data-driven politics and our digital overlords have failed or misled us, and how they can be made to serve us instead, in a real balance between citizens and state, independent of corporations.

The web and social media have enabled an explosive increase in participation in the public arena—but not much else has changed. For the next step beyond connectivity, writes Sifry, “we need a real digital public square, not one hosted by Facebook, shaped by Google and snooped on by the National Security Agency. If we don’t build one, then any notion of democracy as ‘rule by the people’ will no longer be meaningful. We will be a nation of Big Data, by Big Email, for the powers that be.”

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Now that communication can be as quick as thought, why hasn’t our ability to organize politically—to establish gains and beyond that, to maintain them—kept pace? The web has given us both capacity and speed: but progressive change seems to be something perpetually in the air, rarely manifesting, even more rarely staying with us.

Micah L. Sifry, a longtime analyst of democracy and its role on the net, examines what he calls “The Big Disconnect.” In his usual pithy, to-the-point style, he explores why data-driven politics and our digital overlords have failed or misled us, and how they can be made to serve us instead, in a real balance between citizens and state, independent of corporations.

The web and social media have enabled an explosive increase in participation in the public arena—but not much else has changed. For the next step beyond connectivity, writes Sifry, “we need a real digital public square, not one hosted by Facebook, shaped by Google and snooped on by the National Security Agency. If we don’t build one, then any notion of democracy as ‘rule by the people’ will no longer be meaningful. We will be a nation of Big Data, by Big Email, for the powers that be.”

More books from OR Books

Cover of the book Divining Desire by Micah L. Sifry
Cover of the book Trade Is War by Micah L. Sifry
Cover of the book Occupying Wall Street by Micah L. Sifry
Cover of the book Clint by Micah L. Sifry
Cover of the book True False by Micah L. Sifry
Cover of the book A Rift in Time by Micah L. Sifry
Cover of the book Welcome to the Greenhouse by Micah L. Sifry
Cover of the book Forsaken by Micah L. Sifry
Cover of the book Alive Inside the Wreck by Micah L. Sifry
Cover of the book The Gospel of Self by Micah L. Sifry
Cover of the book The Gulf by Micah L. Sifry
Cover of the book Tweets from Tahrir by Micah L. Sifry
Cover of the book Beyond Zero and One by Micah L. Sifry
Cover of the book Nights at Rizzoli by Micah L. Sifry
Cover of the book Samuel Beckett Is Closed by Micah L. Sifry
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy