The workshop “We are on a mission: Exploring the role of future imaginaries in the making and governing of digital technology” will take place on 27 April 2018 at Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society in Berlin:
“We are on a mission to build a more open, accessible, and fair financial future, one piece of software at a time” promises the software platform Blockchain . “Imagine if everyone could get around easily and safely, without tired, drunk or distracted driving” envisions the self-driving car company Waymo (a subsidiary of Google’s parent company, Alphabet Inc .). “The Regulation is an essential step to strengthen citizens’ fundamental rights in the digital age and facilitate business by simplifying rules for companies in the Digital Single Market” claims the European Commission with regard to the General Data Protection Regulation.
These examples show how imaginaries of future societies are enacted to promote digital innovations or legitimate certain modes of internet governance. They illustrate how software providers, tech companies and legislators dig into the rich pool of cultural norms, visions and values to support (or question) digital tools, rules and regulations. Future prospects seem to be central for making decisions in the present.
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The deadline for submissions is March 1, 2018.
For more information, check the full Call for Papers (PDF).