Question: Unveiling the Illusion of Neutrality: A Critical Analysis of Socio-Technical Imaginaries and Their Impact on Contemporary Digital Technologies

Expert answer

DRAFT / STUDY TIPS:

Introduction

The concept of ‘socio-technical imaginaries’ has been used to explain how society’s collective visions and aspirations about the future of technology influence its development and use. These imaginaries often portray technology as a neutral, objective tool or object, separate from social, political, and cultural contexts. This paper critically examines how socio-technical imaginaries help perpetuate the belief in the neutrality of technology, focusing on contemporary digital technologies and their accompanying narratives. Drawing on key theories from Theme 1: Theorising Technology/Society and Theme 2: Technology and Temporality, this paper will explore how these imaginaries shape societal perceptions of technology, discussing the social dynamics that both construct and are constructed by digital technologies.

1. Understanding ‘Socio-Technical Imaginaries’ and Their Role

Definition of Socio-Technical Imaginaries

The term socio-technical imaginaries was coined by Sheila Jasanoff and others to describe the collective visions and narratives that a society constructs about the future of technology and its role in society. These imaginaries are shaped by cultural, political, and economic forces, and influence the way technological systems are designed, implemented, and understood. Importantly, socio-technical imaginaries are not neutral; they reflect and reinforce the values, norms, and priorities of particular social groups.

Key Theories:

• Jasanoff’s concept of socio-technical imaginaries (2015) emphasizes the idea that the development of technology is deeply intertwined with social contexts. For example, imaginaries of the “smart city” are often framed as solutions to urbanization challenges, without adequately addressing issues like inequality or surveillance.
• Bruno Latour’s Actor-Network Theory (1992) also critiques the idea that technology is a neutral tool, focusing instead on how technological systems are co-constructed by humans and non-humans.

The Illusion of Technological Neutrality

One dominant socio-technical imaginary is the belief that technology is merely a neutral tool, which exists independently from the social and political contexts in which it is used. This idea often stems from the techno-determinist view that technology shapes society in a linear, direct manner. However, scholars like Langdon Winner (1980) have criticized this view, arguing that technologies are always embedded in specific social structures and power relations.

The Function of these Narratives in Society

These narratives perform several functions:

1. Legitimization: By portraying technology as neutral, these imaginaries legitimize the authority and power of those who design and control technological systems.
2. Concealing power dynamics: They often obscure the socio-political and economic forces that shape technological development.
3. Creating a sense of inevitability: They often depict certain technologies (like automation or artificial intelligence) as inevitable and outside human control, making resistance appear futile.

2. The Case of Social Media Platforms as a Contemporary Digital Technology

Overview of Social Media Platforms

As a contemporary example of a digital technology, social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have been framed in popular discourse as neutral spaces for communication and connection. These platforms promise to democratize access to information, promote free speech, and foster global community building. However, their socio-technical imaginaries and the narratives that accompany their development are far more complex and often overlook their potential harms.

Technological Narratives Surrounding Social Media

The dominant narrative surrounding social media is that it is a tool for empowerment. This narrative highlights the platform’s ability to connect people globally, facilitate information sharing, and allow for the creation of personal identity and voice. For example, Facebook’s slogan “It’s a free and open world” reflects this idealized vision.

However, these imaginaries are often criticized for being overly simplistic. In reality, social media platforms are built on algorithms that prioritize engagement and profits, often at the expense of user well-being and privacy. They are not neutral tools but are designed to shape behavior in ways that reflect the interests of platform owners and advertisers.

Key Concepts:

• Technological determinism vs. social shaping of technology (Bauer & Gaskell, 2002): Social media platforms are not purely deterministic; rather, they are shaped by the values of their creators, advertisers, and political forces.
• Platform capitalism (Srnicek, 2017): Platforms like Facebook and Instagram are structured to capture data and maximize profits, a point that counters the neutral and empowering image they often project.

3. Theorising Technology and Society: Understanding the Interactions

Theories of Technology and Society

1. Technological Determinism and Social Shaping of Technology:

   • Technological determinism argues that technology drives social change. However, this view has been largely critiqued by scholars who emphasize the social construction of technology (SCOT), as proposed by Wiebe Bijker (1995). According to SCOT, technological development is shaped by societal needs, conflicts, and values.
   • Social shaping theory, as presented by Trevor Pinch and others, argues that technologies are shaped by the social, economic, and political contexts in which they emerge.

2. Actor-Network Theory (ANT):

   • ANT, developed by Bruno Latour, Michel Callon, and John Law, offers a perspective where technology is understood as part of a network that includes both human and non-human actors (including artifacts and institutions). According to ANT, technologies do not act as neutral tools but are embedded in power dynamics and can influence social relations.

3. Postphenomenology:

   • Don Ihde (1990) offers the theory of postphenomenology, which critiques the view that technology is an objective, neutral tool. He argues that technology mediates human experience and social relationships, and that these mediations are influenced by the design of technological artifacts.

Applying these Theories to Social Media Platforms

Social media platforms are not neutral spaces; they are shaped by specific social, economic, and political goals. For instance:

• Facebook’s algorithms prioritize content that maximizes user engagement, often at the expense of emotional well-being or factual accuracy (Tufekci, 2015). This reflects the social shaping of technology—social media platforms are designed to serve the interests of advertisers, not the users.
• The power dynamics embedded within social media platforms align with the theories of Actor-Network Theory, where these platforms are seen as actors in a network that includes technology, corporations, users, and governments, all interacting with one another.

4. Technology and Temporality: The Evolution of Technological Narratives

The Concept of Temporality in Technology

The concept of temporality refers to the ways in which time is experienced and shaped by technology. This can involve both the speed at which technology evolves and how the narratives around technology shift over time.

1. Technological Progress and Hegemony:

   • The belief in technological progress is deeply embedded in Western thought. Technologies such as social media are often framed as symbols of progress—transforming society for the better. However, as technologies evolve, their consequences become more apparent. For example, social media platforms, once seen as tools for democratization, are increasingly recognized for their role in amplifying misinformation, creating echo chambers, and undermining privacy.

2. The Narrative of Technological Obsolescence:

   • As new technologies emerge, older ones often become obsolete. This narrative of obsolescence plays into the idea that technological change is inevitable and unidirectional, ignoring the fact that certain technologies persist due to social, economic, and political factors. For instance, social media platforms continually evolve, but their underlying capitalist business models persist.

Contemporary Digital Technology and Its Temporality

The temporality of social media platforms highlights the ever-changing nature of digital technologies. For instance, Facebook’s transition to Meta reflects an effort to shape the future of the internet (i.e., the metaverse), constructing a new imaginary of the digital world. However, this new narrative is also shaped by the same forces that shaped previous technologies—profit motives, user engagement, and surveillance.

5. Conclusion

In conclusion, socio-technical imaginaries play a crucial role in constructing the belief that technology is neutral, separate from society, and inevitable in its progress. The case of social media platforms illustrates how these imaginaries can obscure the true nature of technological development, which is shaped by social, economic, and political forces. Drawing on theories from both Theorising Technology/Society and Technology and Temporality, it becomes clear that technology is not merely a functional tool but a social construct that shapes—and is shaped by—society.

Key Takeaways:

• Socio-technical imaginaries help construct and reinforce the idea that technologies like social media are neutral tools.
• These imaginaries are deeply embedded in social, economic, and political power dynamics.
• The temporality of technological change reflects both a sense of progress and the persistence of underlying hegemonies.

By critically engaging with these narratives, we can better understand the ways in which technology interacts with society and challenge the assumption that technological development is purely a matter of neutral, inevitable progress