Pax Technica : How the Internet of Things May Set Us Free or Lock Us Up

A foremost digital expert looks at the most powerful political tool ever created—the internet of things. Will it be like the internet of surveillance and censorship we have now, or will it be something better?Should we fear or welcome the internet’s evolution? The “internet of things” is the rapidly growing network of everyday objects—eyeglasses, cars, thermostats—made smart with sensors and internet addresses. Soon we will live in a pervasive yet invisible network of everyday objects that communicate with one another. In this original and provocative book, Philip N. Howard envisions a new world order emerging from this great transformation in the technologies around us. Howard calls this new era a Pax Technica. He looks to a future of global stability built upon device networks with immense potential for empowering citizens, making government transparent, and broadening information access. Howard cautions, however, that privacy threats are enormous, as is the potential for social control and political manipulation. Drawing on evidence from around the world, he illustrates how the internet of things can be used to repress and control people. Yet he also demonstrates that if we actively engage with the governments and businesses building the internet of things, we have a chance to build a new kind of internet—and a more open society. Should We Fear Or Welcome The Internet's Evolution? The Internet Of Things Is The Rapidly Growing Network Of Everyday Objects--eyeglasses, Cars, Thermostats--made Smart With Sensors And Internet Addresses. Soon We Will Live In A Pervasive Yet Invisible Network Of Everyday Objects That Communicate With One Another. In This Original And Provocative Book, Philip N. Howard Envisions A New World Order Emerging From This Great Transformation In The Technologies Around Us. Howard Calls This New Era A Pax Technica. He Looks To A Future Of Global Stability Built Upon Device Networks With Immense Potential For Empowering Citizens, Making Government Transparent, And Broadening Information Access. Howard Cautions, However, That Privacy Threats Are Enormous, As Is The Potential For Social Control And Political Manipulation. Drawing On Evidence From Around The World, He Illustrates How The Internet Of Things Can Be Used To Repress And Control People. Yet He Also Demonstrates That If We Actively Engage With The Governments And Businesses Building The Internet Of Things, We Have A Chance To Build A New Kind Of Internet--and A More Open Society-- 1. Empire Of Connected Things: Carna Surveils The Realm -- What's In A Pax? -- The Demographics Of Diffusion -- Information Technology And The New World Order -- Pax Romana, Britannica, Americana -- The Balaceras Of Monterrey -- The Internet Is Also A Surveillance State -- The Wars Only Bots Will Fight -- The Political Empire Of Connected Things -- 2. Internet Interregnum: Discovering The Uglygorilla -- Devices Of Hope -- The Demographics Of Diffusion -- The Zapatistas Reboot History -- From Gold To Bits -- States Don2t Own It, Though They Fight Hard To Control It -- A New Kind Of New Order -- But It's Not A Westphalian-or Feudal-world -- 3. New Maps For The New World: Mapping Hispaniola -- Dictators And Dirty Networks -- Mubarak's Choice -- We Are All Laila -- Governments, Bad And Fake -- The Dictator's Digital Dilemma -- Finding Kibera -- Dirty Networks, Collapsing -- The Democracy Of Devices -- 4. Five Premises For The Pax Technica: Learning From The Internet Interregnum --^ First Premise: The Internet Of Things Is Being Weaponized -- Second Premise: People Use Devices To Govern -- Third Premise: Digital Networks Weaken Ideologies -- Fourth Premise: Social Media Solve Collective Action Problems -- Fifth Premise: Big Data Backs Human Security -- Defining The Pax Technica -- 5. Five Consequences Of The Pax Technica: Empire Of Bits-a Scenario -- First Consequence: Networked Devices And The Stability Of Cyberdeterrence -- Second Consequence: Governance Through The Internet Of Things -- Third Consequence: From A Clash Of Civilizations To A Competition Between Device Networks -- Fourth Consequence: Connective Action And Crypto Clans -- Fifth Consequence: Connective Security And Quality Of Life -- The Downside Of Connective Security -- 6. Network Competition And The Challenges Ahead: My Girlfriend Went Shopping...in China -- Authoritarian, But Social -- Bots And Simulations -- Drm For The Material World? -- Other Challenges (that Are Lesser Challenges) --^ The Downside Of Up -- Rival Devices On Competing Networks -- 7. Building A Democracy Of Our Own Devices: Your Coffee Betrays You -- Internet Succession: Computers, Mobiles, Things -- The World Ahead -- The Hope And Instability Of Hackers And Whistle Blowers -- Firing The Social Scientists-and Training New Ones -- Putting The Civic Into The Internet Of Things, Domestically -- Device Networks And Foreign Affairs -- How Can You Thrive In The Pax Technica? -- The Promise Of The Pax. Philip N. Howard. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. A foremost digital expert looks at the most powerful political tool ever created—the internet of things. Will it be like the internet of surveillance and censorship we have now, or will it be something better? Should we fear or welcome the internet's evolution? The "internet of things" is the rapidly growing network of everyday objects—eyeglasses, cars, thermostats—made smart with sensors and internet addresses. Soon we will live in a pervasive yet invisible network of everyday objects that communicate with one another. In this original and provocative book, Philip N. Howard envisions a new world order emerging from this great transformation in the technologies around us. Howard calls this new era a Pax Technica. He looks to a future of global stability built upon device networks with immense potential for empowering citizens, making government transparent, and broadening information access. Howard cautions, however, that privacy threats are enormous, as is the potential for social control and political manipulation. Drawing on evidence from around the world, he illustrates how the internet of things can be used to repress and control people. Yet he also demonstrates that if we actively engage with the governments and businesses building the internet of things, we have a chance to build a new kind of internet—and a more open society. "Should we fear or welcome the internet's evolution? The "internet of things" is the rapidly growing network of everyday objects--eyeglasses, cars, thermostats--made smart with sensors and internet addresses. Soon we will live in a pervasive yet invisible network of everyday objects that communicate with one another. In this original and provocative book, Philip N. Howard envisions a new world order emerging from this great transformation in the technologies around us. Howard calls this new era a Pax Technica. He looks to a future of global stability built upon device networks with immense potential for empowering citizens, making government transparent, and broadening information access. Howard cautions, however, that privacy threats are enormous, as is the potential for social control and political manipulation. Drawing on evidence from around the world, he illustrates how the internet of things can be used to repress and control people. Yet he also demonstrates that if we actively engage with the governments and businesses building the internet of things, we have a chance to build a new kind of internet--and a more open society"-- Résumé de l'éditeur Should we fear or welcome the internet’s evolution? The “internet of things” is the rapidly growing network of everyday objects—eyeglasses, cars, thermostats—made smart with sensors and internet addresses. Soon we will live in a pervasive yet invisible network of everyday objects that communicate with one another. In this original and provocative book, Philip N. Howard envisions a new world order emerging from this great transformation in the technologies around us.

Howard calls this new era a Pax Technica. He looks to a future of global stability built upon device networks with immense potential for empowering citizens, making government transparent, and broadening information access. Howard cautions, however, that privacy threats are enormous, as is the potential for social control and political manipulation. Drawing on evidence from around the world, he illustrates how the internet of things can be used to repress and control people. Yet he also demonstrates that if we actively engage with the governments and businesses building the internet of things, we have a chance to build a new kind of internet—and a more open society. Should we fear or welcome the internet's evolution? The “internet of things” is the rapidly growing network of everyday objects—eyeglasses, cars, thermostats—made smart with sensors and internet addresses. Soon we will live in a pervasive yet invisible network of everyday objects that communicate with one another. In this original and provocative book, Philip N. Howard envisions a new world order emerging from this great transformation in the technologies around us. Â Howard calls this new era a Pax Technica. He looks to a future of global stability built upon device networks with immense potential for empowering citizens, making government transparent, and broadening information access. Howard cautions, however, that privacy threats are enormous, as is the potential for social control and political manipulation. Drawing on evidence from around the world, he illustrates how the internet of things can be used to repress and control people. Yet he also demonstrates that if we actively engage with the governments and businesses building the internet of things, we have a chance to build a new kind of internet—and a more open society. Oxford University sociology professor Philip N. Howard offers a fascinating look at the Internet of Things (IoT). He carefully considers the political implications of the IoT, including how the way it is connecting the world will change political reality. His analysis is intelligent, informed, intriguing and flat-out terrifying. For example, consider his description of how China is building its own Internet or the way various groups are using bots to disrupt politics, society and the economy. In sum, he analyzes why organizations and governments must reach a "Pax Technica," or technological peace. getAbstract recommends Howard's comprehensive, futurist report to politicians, investors, students and anyone interested in technological change, social order or a unique historical perspective on contemporary times