Technology and In/Equality: Questioning the Information Society Book

Technology and In/equality explores the diverse implications of the new information and communication technologies through case studies of their applications in three main areas - media, education and training, and work. Questions of access to and control over crucial resources such as information, knowledge, skills and income ae addressed drawing upon insights from science and technology studies, innovation theory, sociology and cultural studies. All of the chapters question the meanings of the terms 'technology' and 'inequality' and of the widespread association of technology with progress. Written with a non-specialist readership in mind, all complex theories and key concepts are carefully explained making the book easily accessible and relevant to a wide range of courses.

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Using a cross-discipline approach to their topic, the authors examine the question of technology's impact on society, examining social, economic, employment, and ethical issues. Individual papers consider the use and control of the Internet; access, democracy, and technology in community television in Canada; issues of equality, access and choice in the transactional television environment; gender and inequality in computer education; and inequality, work and technology in the services sector. The editors and most of the contributors teach in the department of innovation studies at the U. of East London, England. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)