the tyranny of digital technologies

The choices we make regarding what digital engagement tool we want to use with volunteers, clients and consultants, or what collaboration tool, or what video conferencing platform, can force those people to download software they don't want or use tech tools they have an ethical issue with or a security concern regarding.

In addition, Not only are users encouraged to leave all of their systems on all the time so that they know what is happening or required immediately, but they are frequently also expected to reply instantaneously. This is neither possible nor sensible.

Tim Unwin served as Secretary General (formerly Chief Executive Officer) of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) from 2011-2015, and is Emeritus Professor of Geography and Chairholder of the UNESCO Chair in ICT4D at Royal Holloway, University of London. In this blog, he offers examples that illustrate ways through which digital technologies are being used to shift the balance of work away from administrators/managers at the “centre” and towards the employees/volunteers at the periphery, whilst concentrating the actual power ever more at the centre.

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the tyranny of digital technologies

the tyranny of digital technologies

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