Social Implications

Tom Kelliher, CS 200

Mar. 23, 2004

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Next week: presentations from Deborah and John.

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Presentations.

Chapter Summary

1. Technology and social change: Is computing technology effecting social change? What counts as ``change?''

2. Technology is value-laden.

3. Democratic values promoted by the Internet.
   1. Un-mediated, many-to-many communication.

   2. Information is power.

   3. More power to the less powerful.

4. The Digital Divide.

5. The lack of women in computing.

Discussion Questions

1. Is computing technology effecting social change? What counts as ``change?''

2. How is technology value-laden? Are there any technologies that aren't value-laden?

3. What forces are in play to decrease the democracy of the Internet?

4. What can be done to bridge the Digital Divide?

5. Why aren't women pursuing computing? What can be done?