Within the academic and popular discussion of neogeography, it is routinely argued that the process of producing and using geographical information has been fundamentally democratised. Neogeography, in contrast to ‘established geography’, especially uses the argument that it is for anyone, anywhere, and anytime. Similar arguments have been used to praise the growth in Web GIS since the mid-1990s and seem to be persistent in the conceptualisation of these technologies. However, what is the nature of this democracy, and to what extent do the technologies that are used in neogeography fulfil this democratisation promise? In this contribution the framework offered by Andrew Feenberg in his critical theory of technology, and especially his call for ‘deep democratisation’, is used to provide a critique of these assertions of the nature of neogeography. The analysis shows that, unlike early critical GIS and the literature on participatory GIS, the analysis of neogeography adopted an instrumentalist interpretation of the technology and its applications. This view claims that technology is value free and that there is a separation between means and ends. This type of argument ignores and disguises the values that are integrated inexorably in advanced technologies. Once the values are exposed and discussed, neogeography becomes far less exciting and transformative. It becomes clear that there is a separation between a technological elite and a wider group of uninformed, labouring participants who are not empowered through the use of the technology. There are also multiple obstacles that limit the democratic potential of neogeography. The analysis progresses by considering the hierarchy of hacking, understood here as the ability to alter and change the meaning and use of a specific technological system. This hierarchy further explains the democratisation potentialities and limits of neogeography. Because of the reduced barriers, neogeography does offer some increased level of democratisation but, to fulfil this potential, it requires careful implementation that takes into account social and political aspects.

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Neogeography and the Delusion of Democratisation

An exploratory model of inter-country Internet diffusion

This article critically examines existing theory on the uses of new technologies by minority communities to make connections, transforming identities and challenging traditional notions of community. As with the debate about new technologies in general, a utopian and dystopian position has prevailed. Has the development of new technologies, as the optimists predict, opened up access and liberated minority groups from established structural constraints? Has the Internet been a tool for mobilisation both socially and politically? Or as theorists such as Robins and Webster (1999) argue does the development and use of new technologies reinforce and maintain traditional hierarchies both within and without minority communities. What are the consequences of global and technological processes on already excluded groups? After examining these theories, the article applies them to Muslim communities in Britain by situating them within the worldwide community of Muslims (the Umma). Suggesting that there has ...

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Networking Islam: The Democratising Potential of New Technologies in Relation to Muslim Communities

Several influential policy reports recently have argued that our societies are changing from industrial societies into 'information societies', in which the creation and dissemination of knowledge is of great importance. In October 2000 rectors and representatives of 19 higher educational establishments of Northwest Russia, Northern Norway, and America, signed a declaration on co-operation and development between higher educational establishments of the three countries. This paper will address the possibilities, challenges and problems using Internet in the teaching and learning process, and in the planning, administration and management of international distance education of the Barents Euro-Arctic Region. First the paper addresses the present status concerning ICT infrastructure in the countries involved. Secondly, the paper reports on the results of a survey of web sites of higher education institutions in the region, and discusses the different educational needs in the countries. Finally, different organizing, financing and crediting models are analyzed. Internet-based courses are not just old wine in new bottles but a new system with interesting and unpredictable implications for students, faculty, and institutions.

Barents Virtual University - Plans, Problems and Possibilities. Bridging the digital divide between Russian and Scandinavian communities in the Barents region. Paper presented at The 7 th Circumpolat Co-operation Conference 2001: When Distance is a Challenge.

Gandhi has, oft, been criticized for being not only against technology, but against all kinds of mechanization. This chapter attempts to, firstly, put Gandhi’s views in the correct perspective on the basis of his own writings, while highlighting some of his misgivings, many of which are being manifested today. Gandhi was forthright in pointing out the obligation of the scientist toward his fellow humans, and that technology must aid learned resourcefulness, rather than create unemployment and consequential scarring for life. Further, the ideas of Gandhi could be well used to resolve the issue of “product first” or “people first.” Gandhi’s view was a proactive approach based on the user, her needs and problems. He made the “charkha” (the spinning wheel) the cornerstone of his movement to demonstrate the coexistence of technology with all levels of human existence instead of being the tool of merely the rich and the intellectual. Through the symbol of the inexpensive and simple technology of the spinning wheel, Gandhi’s concept of appropriate technology emphasized that technology must bring people together rather than create problems such as those of the digital divide, problematic Internet use and being “alone together.” The chapter ends with the concept of Gandhian engineering and appropriate technology in an effort to clarify that technology can become all-encompassing rather than being a tool for exploitation by those having access to it. Gandhi outlined how the needs of the people must not be spurned by technological growth; it must be in synch with humanity and must create “flow” while using it, ideas which could be used by psychology of technology to help the designer and developer create hedonistic technology.

Gandhi and the Psychology of Technology

General findings in a series of reports from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration on the relationships between the use of computers and the Internet and factors of income, race , education, and location

M. Hattery

Papers

Falling through the net : NTIA's third report on the digital divide