SAVE THE DATE! From Community Networks to Civic Intelligence

Ciao,

come saprete, Venerdi 18 Ottobre alle ore 9:00, come parte del nostro Corso, la lezione sarà tenuta da Douglas Schuler sul tema From Community Networks to Civic Intelligence.

L'incontro si terrà in Aula Beta presso l'Università degli Studi di Milano, via Comelico 39/41. In basso tutti i dettagli utili per approfondier e stimolare già qualche domanda.

ABSTRACT

For nearly thirty years Doug Schuler has been looking at the Internet in terms of how it could be used to address social needs. To this end he has launched community networks, designed software, convened conferences, taught classes, advised on policy, and wrote and lectured extensively on these topics. Always believing that technology can be at least partially shaped, Schuler has argued for public systems that help address public problems. Over the years his thinking has evolved and now his prime focus is on the idea of civic intelligence, a “utopian” but pragmatic perspective that focuses on the application of human knowledge and analytical skills along with creativity, imagination, compassion, and other important features towards addressing shared challenges collaboratively. The patterns of communication that he developed with the help of 85 other contributors (Liberating Voices: A Pattern Language for Communication Revolution,MIT Press 2008) were developed as research and action “prompts” that encourage civic intelligence. 

LECTURER PROFILE

Doug Schuler has a masters degree in Software Engineering from Seattle University and a masters degree in Computer Science from the University of Washington. He's a former chair of Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility (CPSR), a founding member of the Seattle Community Network (SCN), and a faculty member of The Evergreen State College where he teaches and learns about civic intelligence, social imagination, technology, and social implications of the network society.

Doug's new book Liberating Voices: A Pattern Language for Communication Revolution, which was published in November, 2008 contains 136 patterns was written by Doug and over 80 contributors. His recent books, co-edited with Peter Day, are Shaping the Network Society: The New Role of Civil Society in Cyberspace (MIT Press) and Community Practice in the Network Society: Local Action / Global Interaction (Routledge). He also co-edited Cyberculture: The Key Concepts (Routledge) with David Bell, Brian Loader, and Nicholas Pleace. His book New Community Networks: Wired for Change (Addison-Wesley) is freely available online in both English and Spanish.
For over 20 years Doug has been engaged with issues relating to society and computing, mostly as an activist with CPSR. He has worked on many CPSR projects including all eight of CPSR's biannual symposia on the "Directions and Implications of Advanced Computing" (DIAC) conferences, which provide a public forum for social implications of computers. Doug is currently the program director for CPSR's Public Sphere Project where he is coordinating a participatory action / research project on civic intelligence. (definition / blog)
Doug has given presentations in Africa, Asia, Europe, and South and North America on issues related to democratic, equitable and sustainable uses of technology. Please see his presentations page for a more extensive listing.