Organising during the Coronavirus Crisis: The Contradictions of Our Digital Lives

The book investigates the use of digital technologies for social organization during the Covid-19 pandemic, examining the relationship between digital technologies and social movements. It challenges conventional wisdom concerning the beneficial impact of digital machines and highlights the inadequacies of digital technologies.

Format: Hardback
Length: 251 pages
Publication date: 04 May 2022
Publisher: Springer Verlag, Singapore

This comprehensive exploration delves into the intricate relationship between digital technologies and social organization during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through a rigorous analysis, the author examines the profound impact of digital tools on society, shedding light on their role in addressing the social void created by this global crisis. Drawing upon Marx's theory of alienation and Antonio Gramsci's concepts of common-sense, good sense, hegemony, and praxis, the author delves into the effectiveness of digital technologies in bridging the gaps and fostering connections within communities.

A series of in-depth interviews conducted across diverse sectors, including community activism, mental health, trade union organization, the creative arts, and resistance movements, provide valuable insights into the ways in which digital technologies have flourished during the pandemic. These interviews showcase the remarkable capacity of digital platforms to facilitate new forms of communication, enabling individuals and groups to connect, share information, and mobilize collective action. However, the book also highlights the limitations and inadequacies of digital technologies, emphasizing the need for a more nuanced understanding of their effects on society.

Challenging prevailing notions about the purported benefits of digital machines, the book offers a critical examination of the societal, ethical, and political implications of digital technologies, particularly from a qualitative perspective. It serves as a valuable resource for researchers and educators interested in exploring the societal transformations wrought by digital technologies, as well as for a broader audience concerned about the influence of social media and the digital landscape.

Overall, this book provides a thought-provoking and insightful exploration of the complex interplay between digital technologies and social organization, offering valuable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and scholars alike.

Weight: 478g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789811919411
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022