Douglas Schuler | The Evergreen State College (original) (raw)
Papers by Douglas Schuler
Communications of The ACM, Jan 2, 1994
Schuler, D. (2023). Welcome to the Cybercene? Ninth Computing within Limits 2023. LIMITS. , 2023
The Cybercene is a proposed designation for a new, post-Anthropocene, geological epoch. The Anthr... more The Cybercene is a proposed designation for a new, post-Anthropocene, geological epoch. The Anthropocene is the proposed name for our current epoch in which changes in earth systems are caused primarily by humans. The Cybercene Epoch would be one in which changes in earth systems were primarily caused by the Cyberplex, the entire socio-technological digital assembly, containing the universe of networked digital parts (the internet, mobile phones, sensors, etc.) and the human and social forces that are creating, maintaining, and using it. The basic arguments for this new designation include: (1) the actuality and potential of the Cyberplex in degrading the natural environment; (2) the actuality and potential of the Cyberplex for decreasing humankind's collective ability to address its environmental (and other) issues; and (3) the ever increasing role of the Cyberplex in all aspects of our lives including its increasing autonomy and the potential for modifying social roles based on the "rewards" provided by the Cyberplex to the people in relatively powerful positions who are more likely to shape its further development. The paper ends with some ideas for what avenues could or should be pursued, while acknowledging the unprecedented circumstances we are living under. It is argued also that computer professionals bear particular responsibility to help address the problems that have and will continue to degrade the earth's systems and the civic intelligence of its inhabitants that the Cyberplex has helped to unleash.
Computing Within Limits, 9th Workshop, 2023
The Cybercene is a proposed designation for a new, post-Anthropocene, geological epoch. The Anthr... more The Cybercene is a proposed designation for a new, post-Anthropocene, geological epoch. The Anthropocene is the proposed name for our current epoch in which changes in earth systems are caused primarily by humans. The Cybercene Epoch would be one in which changes in earth systems were primarily caused by the Cyberplex, the entire socio-technological digital assembly, containing the universe of networked digital parts (the internet, mobile phones, sensors, etc.) and the human and social forces that are creating, maintaining, and using it. The basic arguments for this new designation include: (1) the actuality and potential of the Cyberplex in degrading the natural environment; (2) the actuality and potential of the Cyberplex for decreasing humankind's collective ability to address its environmental (and other) issues; and (3) the ever increasing role of the Cyberplex in all aspects of our lives including its increasing autonomy and the potential for modifying social roles based on the "rewards" provided by the Cyberplex to the people in relatively powerful positions who are more likely to shape its further development. The paper ends with some ideas for what avenues could or should be pursued, while acknowledging the unprecedented circumstances we are living under. It is argued also that computer professionals bear particular responsibility to help address the problems that have and will continue to degrade the earth's systems and the civic intelligence of its inhabitants that the Cyberplex has helped to unleash.
Tech Otherwise, 2021
In this report, we dive into the history of public investment in technologies at the foundation o... more In this report, we dive into the history of public investment in technologies at the foundation of Big Tech, and the imbalances between these investments and the returns to the public sector. We delve into the problematic labor and user relations underlining the value-creation machine Big Tech has assembled, and the perverse social and environmental costs of these socio-technical systems. We set out arguments for why Big Tech should be defunded, and offer potential actions Big Tech companies, governments and policymakers, tech workers, researchers, civil society organizations, social movements and individual citizens could take to redirect resources. We end by offering prospects for what refunding community could look like, how another tech is possible.
J. Community Informatics, 2015
This paper explores ways in which academia could change to be more socially relevant in relation ... more This paper explores ways in which academia could change to be more socially relevant in relation to communities ICT. It is intended to advance ideas and further discussion. Socially relevant means encouraging the creation of information and communication systems that support human development, social learning, collaborative problem-solving, self-governance — and civic intelligence generally. Because the build-out of these systems has such profound implications of surveillance and control that the early warning function is particularly critical. This paper is primarily addressed to the academic community that focuses on the use of ICT in the social lives of "ordinary" citizens.
Bit Numerical Mathematics, 2001
This is the first report on an ambitious participatory project, currently in work, whose goal is ... more This is the first report on an ambitious participatory project, currently in work, whose goal is the construction of a "pattern language, " a large structured collection of knowledge that represents the "wisdom " of a widely distributed, very loosely knit community of activists, researchers, policy-makers, and technologists. This report provides an important first step as it outlines our hopes, expectations, planned tasks, and research hypotheses. A second report in late 2002 or early 2003 will bracket this report with a discussion of actual activities, evaluation, and recommendations.
C&T '21: Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Communities & Technologies - Wicked Problems in the Age of Tech
Over the past several decades the concept of smart cities has gained a lot of attention amongst r... more Over the past several decades the concept of smart cities has gained a lot of attention amongst researchers, the media, governments, civic groups and citizens. The literature shows that innovations have a more positive impact when they stimulate the development of cities and shape their space for a variety of participants, or when design is participatory. This ensures a non-technocratic approach, i.e., one that builds on the complexity of today's socio-technical systems and the consideration of their individual actors. Citizen-based approaches or one of the so-called Caring Community are possible answers to this. In this Design Fiction workshop, we take a critical view on the idea of smart cities by broadening participation to stakeholders who are still excluded from its concept and can be described as vulnerable and often marginalized, such as people who are (culturally) diverse (e.g. migrants, refugees, older adults, children, currently and formerly incarcerated people, homeless people and those with low income) or neurodiverse (e.g. people living with mental health challenges as autism or dementia or who suffer from functional impairments), and also animals and nature who are left behind in the whole digitization process. In this regard we will also address topics like sustainability and well-being. One of the expected outcomes of this workshop is the development of a holistic and sustainable smart city concept involving currently excluded stakeholders.
ACM SIGCAS Computers and Society
One of the standard things at the end of a year is to reflect back and look forward. Which I will... more One of the standard things at the end of a year is to reflect back and look forward. Which I will do --- but don't let me go on too long!
ACM SIGCAS Computers and Society, 2020
As the Chair of SIGCAS, part of my responsibility is to provide periodic updates and perspectives... more As the Chair of SIGCAS, part of my responsibility is to provide periodic updates and perspectives to the SIG membership regarding SIGCAS activities and topics related to computers and society. The "From the Chair" columns appearing in Computer and Society provides a medium for presenting these updates and perspectives. It is my honor to contribute my first "From the Chair" column
Communications of The ACM, 1994
ACM SIGCAS Computers and Society, 2021
Last November (2020) the SIGCAS executive board conducted a survey of SIGCAS members to get a pic... more Last November (2020) the SIGCAS executive board conducted a survey of SIGCAS members to get a picture of who we are, where we come from, what we're interested in, and what the membership would like to see the board do to better fulfill its mission. Based on discussions with the executive board, SIGCAS Vice Chair Lisa Kaczmarczyk implemented the survey using Survey Monkey. As with all surveys one can't get all the information one would like and the more information one tries to obtain, the fewer people are likely to supply it. We settled on eight questions and we received input from 68 people, about 23% of our membership (then just under 300 people---now slightly over). What follows is a presentation of the survey results along with some commentary. How I interpret the data and what I think ought to (or could) be done with the data might not be how you'd interpret the data and think about what ought to be done. And that's a good discussion to have! At any rate, the re...
ACM SIGCAS Computers and Society, 2020
The title of this column comes from the parting provocation in my column in the previous SIGCAS N... more The title of this column comes from the parting provocation in my column in the previous SIGCAS Newsletter (48: 3-4). Besides reducing the burden of coming up with a new title it actually does describe this essay reasonably well. Fancy that!
In recent decades we have witnessed the creation of a communication system that promises unparall... more In recent decades we have witnessed the creation of a communication system that promises unparalleled connectedness. And yet the optimistic dreams of Internet-enabled engagement and empowerment have faded in the face of widespread Internet commercialization. In Liberating Voices, Douglas Schuler urges us to unleash our collective creativitysocial as well as technologicaland develop the communication systems that are truly needed. Inspired by the vision and framework outlined in Christopher Alexander's classic 1977 book, A Pattern Language, Schuler presents a pattern language containing 136 patterns designed to meet these challenges. Using this approach, Schuler proposes a new model of social change that integrates theory and practice by showing how information and communication (whether face-to-face, broadcast, or Internet-based) can be used to address urgent social and environmental problems collaboratively. Each of the patterns that form the pattern language (which was develop...
Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on ICT for Sustainability, 2020
The goal of this paper is to present a vision of research and associated practice that is intende... more The goal of this paper is to present a vision of research and associated practice that is intended to help transcend many of the barriers that are preventing society from adopting the sustainable goals that will help them survive, and even thrive in the coming decades. We believe the research enterprise could be expanded to meet contemporary needs, and to see it as more of a collaborative undertaking involving thinking, implementing, monitoring and evaluations of interventions with larger groups of people (not only specialists) and would be more focused on social benefit. The approach integrates social practices with technological support. It is intended to help us work effectively given the constraints that exist today. It is intended to be flexible enough to change with the times and to help create the opportunities to create these changes. It is to be built on the idea of patterns and pattern languages, an evolving paradigm that can help provide a shared vocabulary that can promo...
... Feedback. New community networks: wired for change. ... John M. Carroll , Mary Beth Rosson, N... more ... Feedback. New community networks: wired for change. ... John M. Carroll , Mary Beth Rosson, Network communities, community networks, CHI 98 conference summary on Human factors in computing systems, p.121-122, April 18-23, 1998, Los Angeles, California, United States. ...
Communications of The ACM, Jan 2, 1994
Schuler, D. (2023). Welcome to the Cybercene? Ninth Computing within Limits 2023. LIMITS. , 2023
The Cybercene is a proposed designation for a new, post-Anthropocene, geological epoch. The Anthr... more The Cybercene is a proposed designation for a new, post-Anthropocene, geological epoch. The Anthropocene is the proposed name for our current epoch in which changes in earth systems are caused primarily by humans. The Cybercene Epoch would be one in which changes in earth systems were primarily caused by the Cyberplex, the entire socio-technological digital assembly, containing the universe of networked digital parts (the internet, mobile phones, sensors, etc.) and the human and social forces that are creating, maintaining, and using it. The basic arguments for this new designation include: (1) the actuality and potential of the Cyberplex in degrading the natural environment; (2) the actuality and potential of the Cyberplex for decreasing humankind's collective ability to address its environmental (and other) issues; and (3) the ever increasing role of the Cyberplex in all aspects of our lives including its increasing autonomy and the potential for modifying social roles based on the "rewards" provided by the Cyberplex to the people in relatively powerful positions who are more likely to shape its further development. The paper ends with some ideas for what avenues could or should be pursued, while acknowledging the unprecedented circumstances we are living under. It is argued also that computer professionals bear particular responsibility to help address the problems that have and will continue to degrade the earth's systems and the civic intelligence of its inhabitants that the Cyberplex has helped to unleash.
Computing Within Limits, 9th Workshop, 2023
The Cybercene is a proposed designation for a new, post-Anthropocene, geological epoch. The Anthr... more The Cybercene is a proposed designation for a new, post-Anthropocene, geological epoch. The Anthropocene is the proposed name for our current epoch in which changes in earth systems are caused primarily by humans. The Cybercene Epoch would be one in which changes in earth systems were primarily caused by the Cyberplex, the entire socio-technological digital assembly, containing the universe of networked digital parts (the internet, mobile phones, sensors, etc.) and the human and social forces that are creating, maintaining, and using it. The basic arguments for this new designation include: (1) the actuality and potential of the Cyberplex in degrading the natural environment; (2) the actuality and potential of the Cyberplex for decreasing humankind's collective ability to address its environmental (and other) issues; and (3) the ever increasing role of the Cyberplex in all aspects of our lives including its increasing autonomy and the potential for modifying social roles based on the "rewards" provided by the Cyberplex to the people in relatively powerful positions who are more likely to shape its further development. The paper ends with some ideas for what avenues could or should be pursued, while acknowledging the unprecedented circumstances we are living under. It is argued also that computer professionals bear particular responsibility to help address the problems that have and will continue to degrade the earth's systems and the civic intelligence of its inhabitants that the Cyberplex has helped to unleash.
Tech Otherwise, 2021
In this report, we dive into the history of public investment in technologies at the foundation o... more In this report, we dive into the history of public investment in technologies at the foundation of Big Tech, and the imbalances between these investments and the returns to the public sector. We delve into the problematic labor and user relations underlining the value-creation machine Big Tech has assembled, and the perverse social and environmental costs of these socio-technical systems. We set out arguments for why Big Tech should be defunded, and offer potential actions Big Tech companies, governments and policymakers, tech workers, researchers, civil society organizations, social movements and individual citizens could take to redirect resources. We end by offering prospects for what refunding community could look like, how another tech is possible.
J. Community Informatics, 2015
This paper explores ways in which academia could change to be more socially relevant in relation ... more This paper explores ways in which academia could change to be more socially relevant in relation to communities ICT. It is intended to advance ideas and further discussion. Socially relevant means encouraging the creation of information and communication systems that support human development, social learning, collaborative problem-solving, self-governance — and civic intelligence generally. Because the build-out of these systems has such profound implications of surveillance and control that the early warning function is particularly critical. This paper is primarily addressed to the academic community that focuses on the use of ICT in the social lives of "ordinary" citizens.
Bit Numerical Mathematics, 2001
This is the first report on an ambitious participatory project, currently in work, whose goal is ... more This is the first report on an ambitious participatory project, currently in work, whose goal is the construction of a "pattern language, " a large structured collection of knowledge that represents the "wisdom " of a widely distributed, very loosely knit community of activists, researchers, policy-makers, and technologists. This report provides an important first step as it outlines our hopes, expectations, planned tasks, and research hypotheses. A second report in late 2002 or early 2003 will bracket this report with a discussion of actual activities, evaluation, and recommendations.
C&T '21: Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Communities & Technologies - Wicked Problems in the Age of Tech
Over the past several decades the concept of smart cities has gained a lot of attention amongst r... more Over the past several decades the concept of smart cities has gained a lot of attention amongst researchers, the media, governments, civic groups and citizens. The literature shows that innovations have a more positive impact when they stimulate the development of cities and shape their space for a variety of participants, or when design is participatory. This ensures a non-technocratic approach, i.e., one that builds on the complexity of today's socio-technical systems and the consideration of their individual actors. Citizen-based approaches or one of the so-called Caring Community are possible answers to this. In this Design Fiction workshop, we take a critical view on the idea of smart cities by broadening participation to stakeholders who are still excluded from its concept and can be described as vulnerable and often marginalized, such as people who are (culturally) diverse (e.g. migrants, refugees, older adults, children, currently and formerly incarcerated people, homeless people and those with low income) or neurodiverse (e.g. people living with mental health challenges as autism or dementia or who suffer from functional impairments), and also animals and nature who are left behind in the whole digitization process. In this regard we will also address topics like sustainability and well-being. One of the expected outcomes of this workshop is the development of a holistic and sustainable smart city concept involving currently excluded stakeholders.
ACM SIGCAS Computers and Society
One of the standard things at the end of a year is to reflect back and look forward. Which I will... more One of the standard things at the end of a year is to reflect back and look forward. Which I will do --- but don't let me go on too long!
ACM SIGCAS Computers and Society, 2020
As the Chair of SIGCAS, part of my responsibility is to provide periodic updates and perspectives... more As the Chair of SIGCAS, part of my responsibility is to provide periodic updates and perspectives to the SIG membership regarding SIGCAS activities and topics related to computers and society. The "From the Chair" columns appearing in Computer and Society provides a medium for presenting these updates and perspectives. It is my honor to contribute my first "From the Chair" column
Communications of The ACM, 1994
ACM SIGCAS Computers and Society, 2021
Last November (2020) the SIGCAS executive board conducted a survey of SIGCAS members to get a pic... more Last November (2020) the SIGCAS executive board conducted a survey of SIGCAS members to get a picture of who we are, where we come from, what we're interested in, and what the membership would like to see the board do to better fulfill its mission. Based on discussions with the executive board, SIGCAS Vice Chair Lisa Kaczmarczyk implemented the survey using Survey Monkey. As with all surveys one can't get all the information one would like and the more information one tries to obtain, the fewer people are likely to supply it. We settled on eight questions and we received input from 68 people, about 23% of our membership (then just under 300 people---now slightly over). What follows is a presentation of the survey results along with some commentary. How I interpret the data and what I think ought to (or could) be done with the data might not be how you'd interpret the data and think about what ought to be done. And that's a good discussion to have! At any rate, the re...
ACM SIGCAS Computers and Society, 2020
The title of this column comes from the parting provocation in my column in the previous SIGCAS N... more The title of this column comes from the parting provocation in my column in the previous SIGCAS Newsletter (48: 3-4). Besides reducing the burden of coming up with a new title it actually does describe this essay reasonably well. Fancy that!
In recent decades we have witnessed the creation of a communication system that promises unparall... more In recent decades we have witnessed the creation of a communication system that promises unparalleled connectedness. And yet the optimistic dreams of Internet-enabled engagement and empowerment have faded in the face of widespread Internet commercialization. In Liberating Voices, Douglas Schuler urges us to unleash our collective creativitysocial as well as technologicaland develop the communication systems that are truly needed. Inspired by the vision and framework outlined in Christopher Alexander's classic 1977 book, A Pattern Language, Schuler presents a pattern language containing 136 patterns designed to meet these challenges. Using this approach, Schuler proposes a new model of social change that integrates theory and practice by showing how information and communication (whether face-to-face, broadcast, or Internet-based) can be used to address urgent social and environmental problems collaboratively. Each of the patterns that form the pattern language (which was develop...
Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on ICT for Sustainability, 2020
The goal of this paper is to present a vision of research and associated practice that is intende... more The goal of this paper is to present a vision of research and associated practice that is intended to help transcend many of the barriers that are preventing society from adopting the sustainable goals that will help them survive, and even thrive in the coming decades. We believe the research enterprise could be expanded to meet contemporary needs, and to see it as more of a collaborative undertaking involving thinking, implementing, monitoring and evaluations of interventions with larger groups of people (not only specialists) and would be more focused on social benefit. The approach integrates social practices with technological support. It is intended to help us work effectively given the constraints that exist today. It is intended to be flexible enough to change with the times and to help create the opportunities to create these changes. It is to be built on the idea of patterns and pattern languages, an evolving paradigm that can help provide a shared vocabulary that can promo...
... Feedback. New community networks: wired for change. ... John M. Carroll , Mary Beth Rosson, N... more ... Feedback. New community networks: wired for change. ... John M. Carroll , Mary Beth Rosson, Network communities, community networks, CHI 98 conference summary on Human factors in computing systems, p.121-122, April 18-23, 1998, Los Angeles, California, United States. ...
The pattern language found in Liberating Voices about civic intelligence.