Have we lost the visions that fuel Internet Studies?
technology
The Correct Lesson on Hype from the Theranos Verdict
Looking at the verdict of the court in the case finding Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes guilty of fraud, Brooke Masters (2022) argues that 'there is a crucial difference between rosy optimism and outright fraud'. I agree that an entrepreneur is unlikely to enrol investors and colleagues into a venture that the entrepreneur does not believe … Continue reading The Correct Lesson on Hype from the Theranos Verdict
Pick up the phone!
Ofcom reports that fewer people are using their mobile phones for making phone calls (Williams 2018). The use of smartphones for calls is declining while their use for texting, emailing, searching and using social media is rising. Clearly, this trend is not unique to the UK, nor is it simply limited to the use if … Continue reading Pick up the phone!
Why is the panic around echo chambers, filter bubbles, and fake news?
A report we just completed for the Quello Center on 'Search and Politics' concluded that most people are not fooled by fake news, or trapped by filter bubbles or echo chambers. For example, those interested in politics and with some ability in using the Internet and search, generally consult multiple sources for political information, and … Continue reading Why is the panic around echo chambers, filter bubbles, and fake news?
Joining Editorial Board of Internet Histories
Delighted to be joining the editorial board of an exciting new journal, Internet Histories: Digital Technology, Culture & Society. You may have seen a special issue of Information & Culture that I helped edit and contributed to: Guest Editor: Haigh, T., Russell, A. and Dutton, W. H. (2015) (eds), ‘Histories of the Internet’, special issue for the … Continue reading Joining Editorial Board of Internet Histories
The Study of Power Shifts Tied to Communication and Information Technologies
I finally completed an abstract for my talk at the forthcoming conference of the International Communication Association (ICA). It will be the 66th Annual Conference, this one to be held in Fukuoka, Japan, from 9-13 June 2016. The conference theme is 'Communicating with Power', so I chose to speak about my career long interest in … Continue reading The Study of Power Shifts Tied to Communication and Information Technologies