Commentary: towards more responsibility in ICT
| Date | 09 March 2015 |
| Pages | 24-27 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JICES-12-2014-0062 |
| Published date | 09 March 2015 |
| Author | Kathrin Otrel-Cass |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Information management & governance |
Commentary: towards more
responsibility in ICT
Kathrin Otrel-Cass
Department of Learning and Philosophy, Aalborg University,
Aalborg, Denmark
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this article is to provide a commentary to the conceptual article by Norberto
Patrignani and Diane Whitehouse, The Clean Side of Slow Tech. This article explores what can be easily
overlooked in Information Communication Technology (ICT): the uncomfortable truth relating to the
production, use and disposal of modern communication technology.
Design/methodology/approach – In it, the author picks up on the main ideas that were argued,
specically that there is a need to take a closer look at the production, use and disposal of modern
communication technology.
Findings – Connecting resource production, use and disposal and its affect on climate change will
require those who are in the position to make changes to come up with solutions that also consider
values, beliefs and norms that lead to particular types of behaviour.
Research limitations/implications – ICT has had an enormous impact on people’s lives. However,
there has been primarily focus on its life-accelerating attributes. Slowing down the process of
production may open up possibilities for sustainable ICT development.
Practical implications – The commentary, combined with Patrignani and Whitehouse’s paper may
provide a resource for those responsible in training future ICT professionals.
Social implications – If today’s society, and this includes users and producers of ICT, intends to go
beyond the mere rhetoric about sustainability, individuals will need to take on a new kind of
responsibility that covers the entire life cycle of technology.
Originality/value – This commentary is intended to provide an additional viewpoint to the topic of
sustainable ICT production.
Keywords Ethics, Sustainability, Slow Tech, Computer science
Paper type Viewpoint
This is a commentary to the conceptual article by Patrignani and Whitehouse: The
Clean Side of Slow Tech that explores what can be easily overlooked in information
communication technology (ICT): the uncomfortable truth relating to the
production, use and disposal of modern communication technology. Within this
commentary, I intend to build and extend on the argument that is being presented.
Most of today’s developed and also in increasingly developing countries are
occupied with the race towards an ever-improving ICT. The modern consumer
society has been told how technological solutions will address the rising challenges
that come with a world that is (still) growing in population. Consumer advertising
feeds an appetite for more and more sophisticated goods and services, and
globalisation and exploitative practice feeds off the price pressure. However,
consumers in the developed world are increasingly coming to the realisation that
this development comes at a price and is unsustainable. While the increasing
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/1477-996X.htm
JICES
13,1
24
Received 19 December 2014
Revised 19 December 2014
Accepted 19 December 2014
Journalof Information,
Communicationand Ethics in
Society
Vol.13 No. 1, 2015
pp.24-27
©Emerald Group Publishing Limited
1477-996X
DOI 10.1108/JICES-12-2014-0062
To continue reading
Request your trial