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Is software political? (www.jstor.org)

submitted 3 months ago by rimu@piefed.social to c/opensource@programming.dev

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In this paper the author highlights how both engineers and social scientists misinterpret the relationship between technology and society. In particular he attacks the narrative, widespread among engineers, that technological artifacts, such as software, have no political properties in themselves and that function or efficiency are the only drivers of technological design and implementation.

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[–] cmhe@lemmy.world 2 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (1 children)

Hence, you are making it political. Like you yourself said, politics in itself a construct, not a natural force.

Wherever something is or isn't political is decided by the society, all I can do is point out potential issues, but that is not "making it political", just like pointing to something that is dead, doesn't suddenly makes it die. No it was dead before.

[–] Lumisal@lemmy.world 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Ah but see, politics much like the idea of death itself is still just philosophy. For some humans, the perishing of the body isn't necessarily death either. Disagreement can be found where it can be made

[–] cmhe@lemmy.world 1 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

Exactly.

All I can point out that I don't see the a body moving, not breathing, no pulse and not reacting to external stimuli, all facts, but wherever or not this state is called "dead", I can decide for myself, and groups of people will have a final say on. Other groups might disagree, politics might be involved, maybe the issue will be settled, maybe not. I, as an individual cannot say how the outcome will be.