The Slide towards Decentralization

Clock and Computer

Datos Bibliográficos

ID11268632
AutoresHarmeet Sawhney (0000-0001-9259-7817, Indiana University, autor de correspondencia)
Año2004
Volumen26
Número3
Páginas359-374
Fecha de publicación2004-05-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaMedia Culture & Society (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0163-4437 • E-ISSN: 1460-3675
EditorialSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0163443704042257
OpenAlexW2126131502
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas5
Referencias citadas13

The parallels between the diffusion of mechanical clocks and computers are quite striking. The mechanical clock migrated from Western monasteries to clock towers to our wrists and in the process contributed towards a profound transformation of our society. Today, omnipresent clocks, mechanical and electronic, allow for coordination and control essential for the functioning of a modern society. Similarly, the computer migrated from corporate basements to desk tops to hand-held devices and in the process made possible new means of coordination and control which have reconfigured social activity. In both cases, we see: (1) a ‘monumental’ (stand-alone) technology, (2) a reduction in size and a multiplication and diffusion into society (smaller stand-alone pieces), and (3) interconnection to form a web of coordination and control. On one level, this article traces the stages of technological development as outlined above. On another level, it examines socio-cultural changes that accompanied this pattern of technological change

Control (management · Decentralization · Desk · Interconnection · Operations management · Parallels · Political science · Process (computing · Social control · Social science · Sociology · Telecommunications · Computer Science · Engineering · Global Urban Networks and Dynamics · Law · Media, Communication, and Education · Artificial Intelligence