COLUMN TITLE: THE OPEN COLUMN: Technology, Society, Culture

LEAD (1st column):

From this IC@ST issue on the magazine will feature a column on topics that bridge
technology, society and culture. The co-editors of this column Mieczysław
Muraszkiewicz and Jan Kaczmarek will share it with other invited authors to trace
and discuss two-way impacts between technology, society and culture at large. In
their first introductory article the authors set the background for the column main
theme. Read more (Read the introductory column)

THE INTRODUCTORY ARTICLE

A technology becomes truly exciting only when it gets to be a social phenomenon.

The thrill of excitement comes from its disruptive potential, its ability to shift
paradigms, alter business models and ways the society is organised. The
uncertainty over the end result 'of it all', fuels speculations, provokes inspiring
discussions and creative thinking. This solely shall serve as sufficient reason for us
to host this column on technology and society, but let's add two more. Firstly, the
very way how technologies shape social phenomena is particularly interesting,
secondly it does matter towards which direction the technology pushes the evolving
society, and we wish it to be in the direction of open society.

We have learned from the writings of Marshal McLuhan that the medium itself, not
only the content it carries, affects the addressee of the message. The medium not
only conditions the meaning of the message but has a deep long term influence on
how people perceive the surrounding world in general, and how they adapt to it.
The more widespread the medium the largest and faster its impacts. So it is not
true that only the way a technology is used matters, how the technology is matters
equally. Information and communication technologies shape the media of tomorrow
and their impacts on human cognitive habits and cultural patterns are undoubtedly
profound however the extent to which they translate into evolution of the
civilisation is yet to be traced. These impacts can either be destructive or
constructive for the establishment of open society, in which individuals can flourish
to the benefit of all.

The notion of open society has been introduced by Karl Popper in his opus magnum
"Open society and its enemies" that treats about the permanent struggle of
mankind and the civilisation against its inner evil forces that try to suppress an
individual, commonly for the sake of ideology or interests of a few chosen ones. The
transition from a closed tribal society to an open society is a quest of freedom and
democracy thirsty individuals against tribal reactionists that act against it. Though
Popper uses the words that appear to pertain to the times that are gone forever, the
totalitarianisms of XX century, he describes mechanisms that are still valid
nowadays, yet the methods of the enemies are far more sophisticated and difficult
to pin down. Whether it is via control of information, imposing standards, promoting
habits, creation and manipulation of simulacra, etc. the freedom and full
development potential of individuals are constantly at risk.

Popper is an optimist however, he sets up a positive project, being convinced that

the enemies of open society shall fall. Self-actualisation of individuals seems a
proper panacea of our times. Let it be then the spirit of this column, which we will
eagerly share with invited authors to discuss the topics prompted by the Popperian
agenda. This theme has already proven to be stimulating for it has served as a
driving inspiration of Mobile Open Society through wireless Technology (MOST)
Foundation (www.most-program.org), an NGO established nearly a decade ago
which created a forum for discussing the implications of communication
technologies, mobile in particular, on democracy, economic growth and societal
development. Our involvement in MOST has convinced us that the interdisciplinary
thinking on the verge of technology, society and culture can be equally valuable as
entertaining. We hope to bring you a bit of both in the coming issues.

If you would like to suggest a topic or feature in this column please contact us at
secretariat@most-program.org