What digital wants

April 4, 2014

Old-ish Content Warning!

You are viewing a post that’s more than three years old. There’s a good chance that a lot of the following is seriously out-of-date (or at least not reflective of my current thinking on this topic). Proceed with caution.

I’m really starting to have an issue with our usage of the word “digital” as a noun. I guess it bothers me because as soon as we use this word in this way, it becomes easier for us to generalize in ways that I don’t think are particularly helpful. We start talking about “what digital can do for you” or “how digital changes us” or whatever. It starts to feel as if “digital” is a sentient being that has its own morals, values, and desires. And I just don’t believe that that is true.

Hrm. Maybe I should occasionally highlight things that I think are wonderful, instead of just things that annoy me. ;)

Next post: What is our product?

Of possible further interest:

The technology skeptic - April 5, 2014
...aand here's a blueprint of the floorplan. - April 5, 2014
A gap in the "chain of authority" - April 4, 2014
What is our product? - April 4, 2014