Greetings from Bustlelolog mouse, for the entrance i will discuss the facts which unwrap the possibility of datafication for the Global South. We will touch upon the ethical and moral part of datafication summarizing my thoughts with a grain of philosophy.
Datafication has been a big subject for many years. Yet, nowadays when people mention datafication they usually talk about it in the present time like datafication was always present in our life. Unfortunately, many people do not question tangible processes of datafication such as: who are the main “contributors” to the datafication/digitization process without which datafication process will hardly be possible. Specifically if we talk about the Global South or those countries where lack of telecommunication infrastructure, low income, socioeconomic situation, and life in remote areas make access to internet or digital technologies nearly impossible, hence datafication is out of the picture.
Essentials for data gathering
Scientific world has come to the conclusion that affordability of mobile devices in developing countries is a major obstacle for adoption of digital technology and overall access to global data. We should not forget that datafication does not happen in the vacuum, you at least need to have a mobile phone and internet or cellular connection to become part of the digital world. Considering aforementioned problems the Global South will most likely never be part of the datafication process or will be someday but not in the foreseeable future. Long story short, the scale of datafication will be unimpressive compared to what we have today and for this reality we are living in we can blame or praise one particular country which contributed to the development and datafication/digitalization of Global South more than anyone else. Yes, I am talking about CHINA!
China has made datafication of the Global South possible by flooding it with the most important tools such as cheap and accessible mobile devices.
As Prometheus once brought fire to the people, China brought not just physical devices but possibilities of participation, voice amplification, self-education etc. to all layers of society.
Of course, one might question the ethical or moral part of datafication, how data might be used against people etc. Still, there are too many indisputably positive aspects of the global web, such as access to information, education, participation in events, early notifications of danger etc. As a matter of fact, Chinese companies such as ZTE, Huawei are the biggest contributors to the communication infrastructure of the global south. Cellular antennas, internet hubs, clouds, and other technologies are not just made in China but predominantly developed by China.
Stream of consciousness
Interestingly, if a simple access to the internet can be considered as part of democracy, development and freedom, then ironically the freedom and development of the Global South comes from an “Authoritarian state” rather than from western democracy.
Bustlelolog Out….
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