CONNECTION ELSEWHERE AND OTHERWISE UNFAMILIAR TERMS ICT 4

CONNECTION ELSEWHERE AND OTHERWISE

UNFAMILIAR TERMS ICT 4 D (Information Communication Technology for Development)

CHECKING IN WITH SUSAN LEIGH STAR Infrastructure “links with conventions of practice” Infrastructurally speaking, what do conventions of practice become after a long time?

A FEW QUESTIONS What should our material relationship to the internet look like? What is the “right” way to connect? Is there a right way? Who is and is not connected? Who decides? What are some of the behavioral implications built into the designs of our networked devices? What sorts of values are embedded in many “ICT 4 D” efforts?

ICT 4 D: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR DEVELOPMENT The concept of “development”, and the idea that a given region is underdeveloped is historically specific. The first “development” programs emerged in the 1950 s, led by the US, but supported by other wealthy European nations. Shortly after WWII, The World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund were established in order to facilitate “development” of what became labeled as “Third World” nations. ICT 4 D is simply old school development initiatives dressed up as the Internet. Considering this history, what beliefs and ideologies are being communicated through ICT 4 D initiatives? What is implied? Harry Truman’s 2 nd Inaugural Address

GLOBALIZATION VS HYBRIDITY VS TRANSLOCALISM

One Laptop Per Child

What city is this? Where is it?

What city is this? Where is it?

What city is this? Where is it?

What city is this? Where is it?

What city is this? Where is it?

What city is this? Where is it?

“DEVELOPMENT” AS FRAMING Framing certain regions or groups as underdeveloped is strategic. Sometimes this framing is helpful, sometimes not. But we always must ask, “Who benefits? ” Development is not an independent category of analysis, but always relative. Why does Facebook want to “connect” Africa so badly? Also, IS Africa unconnected? Or is it just DIFFERENTLY connected?

FACEBOOK FREE BASICS/INTERNET. ORG “Free Basics” is a program in which Facebook partners with cellular service providers to provide access to Facebook (and sites visited within the Facebook platform) at no cost to the user. It operates in many “developing” countries, but has come under fire for the connection being too restrictive. Why does Facebook want so badly to penetrate these markets? Who decides? Who benefits?

EXPERIENCING AN AFRICAN INTERNET Mobile, solar-powered, public device charging. Charge your cell phone by pedaling a bike. A portable, handheld internet router. Every region has a different relationship to network infrastructure. Some parts become visible in some places, and remain invisible in others. Our relationship to infrastructure is a reflection of our values, and of power.

WHO SHOULD CONTROL INTERNET ACCESS? Our relationship to infrastructure reflects both our values, and the values of those in power. How should internet infrastructure be built and managed? How would our material relationship to the internet change if our access to it was community managed and maintained?