Making the Net Work: Sustainable Development in a Digital Society

by Vidhya Alakeson, James Goodman, Tim Aldrich

Overview

ICTs, notably the Internet and mobile telephone, are transforming the way we live and work, our social relationships and communities, even our impact on the environment. They are changing the very nature of human communication. Making the Net Work looks in detail at the defining characteristics of the digital society, and suggests that ICT equips us better than at any previous point in the industrial age to face the challenges of sustainable development. The authors explore four features of our digital society: networks, information, trust and speed, and conclude that the society thus described is ultimately one of greater choice and power for all. For this reason, adopting shared social values is crucial for sustainable development. Making the Net Work asks for our participation and commitment to just such values, and presents practical solutions and opportunities to involve businesses, governments, consumers and citizens alike.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780954621605
Publisher:	Xeris Publishing
Publication date:	02/28/2004
Pages:	127
Product dimensions:	6.42(w) x 9.14(h) x 0.36(d)

Table of Contents

	List of Figures	ix
	List of Text Boxes	xi
	About the Authors	xiii
	Acknowledgements	xv
	Forewords	xvii
	Introduction	1
	Sustainable Development In The Digital Society	9
	Reshaping Europe's landscape	10
	Out of office	15
	Virtual dematerialization	17
	Sustainable development in the digital society	23
	Netting The Globe	27
	The Internet begins with coal--but where does it end?	31
	Networks of opportunity	33
	Networks in business	36
	Sustainable development in a small world	37
	Infoworld	45
	Creating for inclusion	46
	RT Mark and the Decepticons	48
	The corporate response	49
	Information glut	54
	Open policy	57
	Webs Of Trust	59
	Trusted sources	60
	Trusted networks	62
	Corporate social capital	70
	Trust in action	72
	Virtually Sustainable	77
	Measuring the impact of virtual products	78
	Lighter than air?	80
	The consumer rules	83
	The net in action	85
	Producer responsibility	87
	Faster Is Different	91
	Unpredictable outcomes	92
	The speed of feedback	94
	Sustainable development in a complex world	97
	Making The Net Work	101
	Recommended Reading	109
	Endnotes	111
	References	115
	Acronyms and Abbreviations	121