Bloody good point…
What’s to stop an online mass of anonymous but connected people from suddenly turning into a mean mob, just like masses of people have time and time again in the history of every human culture? It’s amazing that details in the design of online software can bring out such varied potentials in human behavior. It’s time to think about that power on a moral basis.
Edge: BEWARE THE ONLINE COLLECTIVE By Jaron Lanier
Update:
This struck me as pleasantly provocative piece, probably worth returning to and investing a bit of thought on.
There is a discussion of the essay going on beneath and around it but I want to gather and consider my thoughts a bit before looking into that. More about why in a sec.
My gut response to the ‘immanent mob’ question quoted above is something like ‘If “mean” means them doing mean things, then hopefully a multitude of connected individuals suddenly turning into a considerate collective and intervening.
Then again, how much clout or impact does or can an anonymous comment and or expression actually have? Zero multiplied by however big a number you can muster keeps giving the same result.
Much also depends on what exactly you think moral is…
Skimmed: Edge: BEWARE THE ONLINE COLLECTIVE By Jaron Lanier
Bloody good point…
Edge: BEWARE THE ONLINE COLLECTIVE By Jaron Lanier
Update:
This struck me as pleasantly provocative piece, probably worth returning to and investing a bit of thought on.
There is a discussion of the essay going on beneath and around it but I want to gather and consider my thoughts a bit before looking into that. More about why in a sec.
My gut response to the ‘immanent mob’ question quoted above is something like ‘If “mean” means them doing mean things, then hopefully a multitude of connected individuals suddenly turning into a considerate collective and intervening.
Then again, how much clout or impact does or can an anonymous comment and or expression actually have? Zero multiplied by however big a number you can muster keeps giving the same result.
Much also depends on what exactly you think moral is…