Democracy begins at Democracy begins at homehome

Last week – discussed the ways in which the Last week – discussed the ways in which the Internet might (or might not) bring democracy to Internet might (or might not) bring democracy to non-democratic regimes.non-democratic regimes.

But some people on both left and right complain But some people on both left and right complain about the state of democratic culture in advanced about the state of democratic culture in advanced industrialized countries like the US too.industrialized countries like the US too. Lack of public participation in politics and public Lack of public participation in politics and public

debatedebate Emphasis on private gain versus collective endeavor.Emphasis on private gain versus collective endeavor.

This reflects a set of value judgements that This reflects a set of value judgements that everyone may not share.everyone may not share.

But to the extent that this might be a more But to the extent that this might be a more general problem, can the Internet provide an general problem, can the Internet provide an alternative?alternative?

Lecture formatLecture format In this lecture, we will discuss whether the In this lecture, we will discuss whether the

Internet provides for a more participatory Internet provides for a more participatory media culture, and thus a more responsive media culture, and thus a more responsive democracy.democracy.

Particular attention to the role of Wikipedia – Particular attention to the role of Wikipedia – arguably the largest and most successful arguably the largest and most successful volunteer-run project ever.volunteer-run project ever.

Provides an example of how decentralized Provides an example of how decentralized collaboration can work.collaboration can work.

But also, according to its critics, of how it But also, according to its critics, of how it can get gummed up with increasing can get gummed up with increasing bureaucracy.bureaucracy.

Broad debate about Web Broad debate about Web 2.02.0

New technologies such as blogs, wikis, social New technologies such as blogs, wikis, social networking sites allow the building of thriving, networking sites allow the building of thriving, self-selecting, communities of debate.self-selecting, communities of debate.

As discussed in class on blogs, this has led to As discussed in class on blogs, this has led to some criticisms that it may polarize debate etc.some criticisms that it may polarize debate etc.

But also some people (Yochai Benkler) argue But also some people (Yochai Benkler) argue that it is likely to have highly benign that it is likely to have highly benign consequences.consequences. Creates a more participatory culture.Creates a more participatory culture. Provides an open and non-bureaucratic means for Provides an open and non-bureaucratic means for

people to come together and participate in common people to come together and participate in common projects.projects.

Avoids stranglehold of large firms on media.Avoids stranglehold of large firms on media.

Benkler on the Wealth of Benkler on the Wealth of NetworksNetworks

Benkler – takes some of the arguments Benkler – takes some of the arguments about civil society and the public sphere about civil society and the public sphere – and applies them to the US.– and applies them to the US.

Argues that we have a relatively weak Argues that we have a relatively weak public sphere, because of the public sphere, because of the dominance of large media firms, and the dominance of large media firms, and the difficulty of access to broadcasting/print difficulty of access to broadcasting/print technologies.technologies.

Result is a largely passive public.Result is a largely passive public. But new technologies may be changing But new technologies may be changing

things …things …

ParticipationParticipation Web 2.0 technologies allow people to Web 2.0 technologies allow people to

become much more than passive become much more than passive consumers of culture.consumers of culture.

Instead, they can become participants.Instead, they can become participants. Sometimes geeky:Sometimes geeky:

People who make their own Star Wars moviesPeople who make their own Star Wars movies But the point isn’t that this necessarily But the point isn’t that this necessarily

leads to great art – but that it allows leads to great art – but that it allows people to participate directly in creating.people to participate directly in creating.

New tools allow for the creation of a New tools allow for the creation of a networked public sphere.networked public sphere.

Advantages of a networked Advantages of a networked public spherepublic sphere

It allows people to come together to (a) It allows people to come together to (a) express shared interests that may be express shared interests that may be relatively rare, and (b) to build on them relatively rare, and (b) to build on them through decentralized cooperation.through decentralized cooperation.

Benkler argues that much more of our Benkler argues that much more of our economy is built around sharing than economy is built around sharing than we realize.we realize. Private life and family life contribute Private life and family life contribute

substantially to economic activity.substantially to economic activity. The Internet allows us radically to The Internet allows us radically to

expand these sharing activities and to expand these sharing activities and to engage with new partners.engage with new partners.

ExamplesExamples

Wikipedia - millions of people who don’t Wikipedia - millions of people who don’t know each other working together on a know each other working together on a common information resource.common information resource.

Open source software (to be discussed at Open source software (to be discussed at end of semester).end of semester).

Creative commons licenced music and Creative commons licenced music and remixes.remixes.

Full length feature films (albeit not-very Full length feature films (albeit not-very good ones).good ones).

Neither traditionally leftist Neither traditionally leftist nor libertariannor libertarian

These arguments don’t fit neatly into These arguments don’t fit neatly into traditional political categories.traditional political categories.

Sound a little left-leaning … but Sound a little left-leaning … but leftists usually leftists usually likelike hierarchy and the hierarchy and the state.state.

Sound a little libertarian, but Sound a little libertarian, but libertarians usually like libertarians usually like marketsmarkets and and are suspicious of people doing things are suspicious of people doing things for freefor free

Criticisms of networked Criticisms of networked public spherepublic sphere

Three major sets of criticism of Benkler.Three major sets of criticism of Benkler. (1) Cass Sunstein and others – does this (1) Cass Sunstein and others – does this

result in a connected and coherent public result in a connected and coherent public culture, or in one that is fragmented and culture, or in one that is fragmented and unhealthy?unhealthy?

(2) Andrew Keen and others argue that we (2) Andrew Keen and others argue that we need experts and genuine artists to be need experts and genuine artists to be creating this content, not amateurs. creating this content, not amateurs.

(3) Nicholas Carr and others argue that (3) Nicholas Carr and others argue that participatory structures are participatory structures are unsustainableunsustainable in in the long run, and will devolve into power-the long run, and will devolve into power-games or profit seeking.games or profit seeking.

Sunstein v. BenklerSunstein v. Benkler Sunstein agrees that breaking the Sunstein agrees that breaking the

monopoly of various “general interest monopoly of various “general interest intermediaries” (traditional newspapers, intermediaries” (traditional newspapers, TV stations etc can have positive TV stations etc can have positive consequences.consequences.

But argues that these intermediaries But argues that these intermediaries played a positive role played a positive role contra contra Benkler in Benkler in creating a public space for debate.creating a public space for debate.

Claims that people need a set of common Claims that people need a set of common experiences in a heterogenous society.experiences in a heterogenous society.

Having shared reference points and Having shared reference points and celebrations such as MLK day, Super celebrations such as MLK day, Super Bowl allow us to speak with each other Bowl allow us to speak with each other more easily and identify with each other. more easily and identify with each other.

Sunstein on the InternetSunstein on the Internet

According to Sunstein, the Internet According to Sunstein, the Internet endangers all this.endangers all this.

He claims:He claims: (1) that Internet allows people to filter out (1) that Internet allows people to filter out

information and viewpoints that they don’t information and viewpoints that they don’t want to hear.want to hear.

(2) That this detracts from our common (2) That this detracts from our common culture, and means that we don’t have a shared culture, and means that we don’t have a shared set of cultural reference points any more.set of cultural reference points any more.

(3) Is inferior to old idea of ‘public forum’ (3) Is inferior to old idea of ‘public forum’ where people are exposed to a wide variety of where people are exposed to a wide variety of views. views.

Elitists – should we defer to Elitists – should we defer to the experts?the experts?

A second point of view suggests that we A second point of view suggests that we are endangering the are endangering the quality quality of public life.of public life.

This is an elitist view (in the non-This is an elitist view (in the non-pejorative sense) – it suggests that pejorative sense) – it suggests that cultural production should be left to the cultural production should be left to the artistically talented, and that the artistically talented, and that the accumulation of knowledge should be accumulation of knowledge should be left to the experts.left to the experts.

Argument that traditional high brow Argument that traditional high brow media should be left to do what they do media should be left to do what they do best.best.

Andrew Keen/Encyclopedia Andrew Keen/Encyclopedia BritannicaBritannica

Two related versions of this argument – Two related versions of this argument – from Andrew Keen and from people from Andrew Keen and from people associated with Encyclopedia Britannica.associated with Encyclopedia Britannica.

Claim that collectively produced art is Claim that collectively produced art is pretty bad.pretty bad.

That collective knowledge gathering That collective knowledge gathering endeavors such as Wikipedia are full of endeavors such as Wikipedia are full of errors and badly written.errors and badly written.

And that idea that ‘amateur’ can produce And that idea that ‘amateur’ can produce worthwhile material is sheer nonsense.worthwhile material is sheer nonsense.

Is this networked public Is this networked public sphere sustainable?sphere sustainable?

Finally – arguments from people like Nicholas Finally – arguments from people like Nicholas Carr about sustainability of collective projects Carr about sustainability of collective projects like Wikipedia.like Wikipedia.

Claim that Benkler’s arguments about non-Claim that Benkler’s arguments about non-hierarchical production by volunteers are hierarchical production by volunteers are grossly overstated.grossly overstated.

In practice, these schemes don’t tend to work In practice, these schemes don’t tend to work for very long.for very long.

Either people get greedy and try to game the Either people get greedy and try to game the system, or get swamped in bureaucratic rules.system, or get swamped in bureaucratic rules.

Devolution of systemDevolution of system

People getting greedy.People getting greedy. Many of these systems can be gamed in various Many of these systems can be gamed in various

ways.ways. eBay reputation system, Digg, Reddit etc are eBay reputation system, Digg, Reddit etc are

all vulnerable to Sybil attacks and similar all vulnerable to Sybil attacks and similar exploits.exploits.

Result may be breakdown of system over time.Result may be breakdown of system over time. People getting bureaucratic.People getting bureaucratic.

Some level of hierarchy is often necessary to Some level of hierarchy is often necessary to get things done.get things done.

But may degenerate into petty bureaucracy …But may degenerate into petty bureaucracy …

WikipediaWikipedia

Approximately 8.29 million articles in 253 Approximately 8.29 million articles in 253 languages (includes German, French, languages (includes German, French, Chinese versions etc).Chinese versions etc). English Wikipedia has just over 2 million English Wikipedia has just over 2 million

articles.articles. Has 6.8 million registered users Has 6.8 million registered users

worldwide.worldwide. Plus plenty of drive-by users.Plus plenty of drive-by users.

Where did this come from?Where did this come from? How does it work?How does it work?

Where Wikipedia came Where Wikipedia came fromfrom

Wikipedia was the result of a failed experiment Wikipedia was the result of a failed experiment in creating an expert-based encyclopedia.in creating an expert-based encyclopedia. Lots of money spent, arguments had, but very few Lots of money spent, arguments had, but very few

articles produced.articles produced. After this failure, one of the founders, Jimmy After this failure, one of the founders, Jimmy

Wales, came across the idea of a Wiki.Wales, came across the idea of a Wiki. Simple way to make a highly modifiable web page.Simple way to make a highly modifiable web page.

Decided to turn the encyclopedia into a wiki Decided to turn the encyclopedia into a wiki that was open to the public – and Wikipedia that was open to the public – and Wikipedia came into being.came into being.

Norms and rulesNorms and rules Wikipedia runs on a complex system of Wikipedia runs on a complex system of

norms and guidelines delimitingnorms and guidelines delimiting What kinds of articles can be accepted.What kinds of articles can be accepted.

Has to be about something or someone who is Has to be about something or someone who is ‘notable’‘notable’

What kinds of writing should be present in What kinds of writing should be present in those articles.those articles. ‘‘Neutral Point of View’ NPOVNeutral Point of View’ NPOV

What sources are acceptableWhat sources are acceptable No original researchNo original research

How disputes over articles should be How disputes over articles should be conducted.conducted.

Internal structuresInternal structures Possible to edit Wikipedia articles anonymously Possible to edit Wikipedia articles anonymously

(although you can’t create new ones).(although you can’t create new ones). Logged-in users can create articles (after a Logged-in users can create articles (after a

period), modify them, and engage in easier period), modify them, and engage in easier communication. Also have greater voice in communication. Also have greater voice in disagreements.disagreements.

Administrators are active Wikipedians who Administrators are active Wikipedians who overview debates over whether or not articles overview debates over whether or not articles should be deleted and can protect pages and should be deleted and can protect pages and temporarily ban users.temporarily ban users.

Bureaucrats are administrators who can Bureaucrats are administrators who can appoint other administrators.appoint other administrators.

How does this work in How does this work in practice ???practice ???

A not so randomly chosen example A not so randomly chosen example ……

Evaluating WikipediaEvaluating Wikipedia

On one level, Wikipedia seems like an On one level, Wikipedia seems like an astounding success.astounding success. One of the most popular sites on the One of the most popular sites on the

InternetInternet Wikipedia definitions almost always first or Wikipedia definitions almost always first or

second results on relevant Google searches.second results on relevant Google searches. Has become the bane of high school Has become the bane of high school

teachers everywhereteachers everywhere But how does Wikipedia fare according But how does Wikipedia fare according

to the criteria laid out by Benkler and to the criteria laid out by Benkler and his critics?his critics?

Benkler’s versionBenkler’s version Wikipedia seems to provide proof-in-Wikipedia seems to provide proof-in-

practice of Benkler’s major claims.practice of Benkler’s major claims. Allows for people who don’t know each Allows for people who don’t know each

other (and may other (and may nevernever know each other) know each other) to come together and collaborate on a to come together and collaborate on a common project.common project.

Provides something that is manifestly Provides something that is manifestly useful to many millions of users.useful to many millions of users.

Fifteen years ago – would anyone have Fifteen years ago – would anyone have imagined that something like Wikipedia imagined that something like Wikipedia existed?existed?

Sunstein on WikipediaSunstein on Wikipedia In more recent writings, Sunstein is much less In more recent writings, Sunstein is much less

critical of projects such as Wikipedia than other critical of projects such as Wikipedia than other Internet related phenomena such as blogs.Internet related phenomena such as blogs.

Why?Why? Wikipedia forces people with different initial points of view Wikipedia forces people with different initial points of view

to come together and forge a consensus.to come together and forge a consensus. ““Neutral Point of View” creates public space for discussion.Neutral Point of View” creates public space for discussion. May not work all the time – some articles (Israel/Palestine, May not work all the time – some articles (Israel/Palestine,

2004 elections) have become battlefields.2004 elections) have become battlefields. But does a good job most of the time in getting people to But does a good job most of the time in getting people to

articulate what they have in common.articulate what they have in common. Other projects using wikis (dKosopedia, Other projects using wikis (dKosopedia,

Conservapedia) are much less attractive from Conservapedia) are much less attractive from Sunstein’s point of view.Sunstein’s point of view.

However, may be subject to However, may be subject to other criticismsother criticisms

Some claim that Wikipedia is being taken over by an Some claim that Wikipedia is being taken over by an unaccountable elite and strangled by rules.unaccountable elite and strangled by rules.

Nicholas Carr talks about the ‘rise of the deletionists’ – Nicholas Carr talks about the ‘rise of the deletionists’ – administrators within the Wikipedia who delete new administrators within the Wikipedia who delete new articles on sight.articles on sight.

““The development of Wikipedia's organization provides The development of Wikipedia's organization provides a benign case study in the political malignancy of a benign case study in the political malignancy of crowds.”crowds.”

People want to delete articles – even if they are good People want to delete articles – even if they are good articles – because this allows for the development of articles – because this allows for the development of ever more arcane rules (that increase their own power ever more arcane rules (that increase their own power and sense of prestige).and sense of prestige).

Result – a supposedly voluntaristic organization that is Result – a supposedly voluntaristic organization that is in fact becoming a bureaucracy.in fact becoming a bureaucracy.

Counterclaims are possible – Wikipedia still seems to be Counterclaims are possible – Wikipedia still seems to be growing despite the deletionists. growing despite the deletionists.

But anecdotal evidence suggests that many volunteers But anecdotal evidence suggests that many volunteers give up when faced with people who have a stake in the give up when faced with people who have a stake in the system and who use rules to justify arbitrary decisions.system and who use rules to justify arbitrary decisions.

Is Wikipedia low quality?Is Wikipedia low quality? Some critics have argued that Wikipedia articles are Some critics have argued that Wikipedia articles are

badly written and full of errors (Andrew Keen, also badly written and full of errors (Andrew Keen, also people associated with Encyclopedia Britannica).people associated with Encyclopedia Britannica).

A A NatureNature study seems to show that Wikipedia study seems to show that Wikipedia articles don’t have many more errors than standard articles don’t have many more errors than standard Enclyclopedia articles.Enclyclopedia articles. But this study has been criticized for the way that it defined But this study has been criticized for the way that it defined

and captured errors.and captured errors. Some evidence that Wikipedia is lower quality than Some evidence that Wikipedia is lower quality than

standard Encylopedias on topics that are (a) standard Encylopedias on topics that are (a) complex and (b) have a lot of people who think they complex and (b) have a lot of people who think they understand them.understand them.

But also covers many issue areas that standard But also covers many issue areas that standard encyclopedias don’t.encyclopedias don’t. And often covers them in an excellent and useful way.And often covers them in an excellent and useful way. Offers many things that standard encyclopedias don’t – Offers many things that standard encyclopedias don’t –

such as up-to-the-minute updates on unfolding issues or such as up-to-the-minute updates on unfolding issues or crises.crises.

Summation of Farrell’s Summation of Farrell’s taketake

There is some validity to the criticisms of Wikipedia and There is some validity to the criticisms of Wikipedia and similar projects.similar projects. Can get bogged down in technical rules, and silly self-elected Can get bogged down in technical rules, and silly self-elected

hierarchies.hierarchies. Quality may be somewhat variable.Quality may be somewhat variable.

But nonetheless, it’s a pretty extraordinary But nonetheless, it’s a pretty extraordinary achievement.achievement.

Suggests that a public sphere Suggests that a public sphere hashas emerged on the emerged on the Internet that can allow forms of discussion and Internet that can allow forms of discussion and collaboration that would have been unthinkable even a collaboration that would have been unthinkable even a decade ago.decade ago.

Long term effects on politics are uncertain.Long term effects on politics are uncertain. But within certain areas of human endeavour, allows for But within certain areas of human endeavour, allows for

voluntaristic cooperation on common projects, and voluntaristic cooperation on common projects, and creation of very interesting new forms of culture.creation of very interesting new forms of culture.