How fear was used to pave the way for the computer
FOMO, or Fear of Missing Out, is an important driver of social media. But the emotion of fear has also been a key factor in the spread of computers in the last century. During the Cold War, fear persuaded governments, industry, and consumers in the western world that they would be left behind if they didn't buy into this technological revolution.
Ginevra Sanvitale has investigated how this mechanism played out in Italy. Her Ph.D. research, which holds important lessons for today, earned her a cum laude at the department of Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences. In her research, Ginevra Sanvitale has given a prominent place to emotions such as fear, which, she says, play a key role in the way computers and their design are debated. This debate applies both to society at large and in the political realm, but have so far not been studied extensively by historians of technology. "Emotions and politics are often considered a hindrance to technological development. Additionally, technology promises to simplify political processes, and to overcome emotional distress," notes Sanvitale. "Yet, after a century of these promises, the contemporary world looks more politically complex and emotionally demanding than ever. Although we live in a tech-centered world, technology alone is not sufficient to explain or resolve our societal challenges." Read more...
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