Thread by @phat_controller

Top Ten Rules of Technology for Social Change: A Thread.
The 140 character version of what I'm learning and teaching
about technology for development and social justice.

#ict4d #tech4dev #ict4dev #civictech

1. Technology is not inherently good or bad; nor is it neutral
(Melvin Kranzberg 1985).

2. Technology is inherently political (@langdonw 1986). Technologies are compatible with certain political configurations and relationships.

3. Technology is Socially Shaped and inevitably reflects the unequal social relations in which it is produced and consumed
(MacKensie and @jwajcman1 1986).

4. Technology can only amplify existing human capacity and intent. It cannot act as a substitute for it (@kentarotoyama 2010).

5. Use of Digital Technology Tends To Reflect, Reproduce, and Amplify Existing Social Inequality and Power Differentials. My words standing on shoulders of @histoftech @kentarotoyama and @safiyanoble

6. Algorithms are Human Agency and Interests Codified.
Here I am building on @ubiquity75 h/t @throughthe_veil @kentarotoyama @histoftech @safiyanoble

7. Beware Technologies Followed By Verbs! What I mean is whenever you read "Computers increase unemployment" or "Social Media causes violence" be skeptical and investigate further. Technology has not volitional agency of its own (see rules above).

8. Technology is Never to Blame. Whenever technology is being blamed for something you can be certain that politics is being obscured. Technology has no volitional agency (see above rules) so ask what interests are served by technology taking the rap? Cui bono?

9. Patriarchy In = Patriarchy Out (PIPO). My riff on Garbage In=Garbage Out (GIGO). If machine learning data is gender or racially biased then the artificial intelligence that it produces will automate/amplify inequality. @mathbabedotorg @FrankPasquale @histoftech @safiyanoble

10. It's Not The Technology Stupid! It's the patriarchy-white supremacist-hetero-normative-capitalist-imperalism interests that are forking everything up. @bellhooks

Please Retweet telling which is your favourite Rule or suggesting new Rules to add.
#ict4d