Principles of Social Informatics
1. Uses of ICTs lead to multiple and sometimes paradoxical effects.
2. Uses of ICTs shape thought and action in ways that benefit some groups more than others.
3. The differential effects of the design, implementation, and uses of ICTs often have moral and ethical consequences.
4. The design, implementation and uses of ICTs have reciprocal relationships with the larger social context.
5. The phenomenon of interest will vary by the level of analysis.
Social and technological impacts of autonomous vehicles are both immediately recognizable and far-reaching, for technology has a reciprocal, causal relationship with society. The fact of the matter is, when cars are driving themselves, responsibilities that come
along with being behind the wheel are lifted from society. That, may imply that individuals cannot be directly blamed for collisions or accidental impacts, as well as that incidents such
as carelessness or reckless driving would not exist. The consequences of self-driving vehicles beckon a short list as opposed to the benefits which can be seen quite easily.
First off, for many, driving is a struggle. The morning rush, the long distance travel: it’s all a matter of the same thing, different day. And at the end of the day, car accidents are
just a matter of statistics. It’s bound to happen, as all it takes is one distraction, one slip up. Regardless, many people just do not enjoy the act of driving and find it to be
quite monotonous and uselessly time-consuming. As a matter of fact, if we no longer had to drive cars, how much free time would we have? What would you do with all that extra free time?
Imagine if the time one spent in the car went towards something more productive or useful. Our nation could benefit from those countless wasted hours doing things that are more thought intensive
rather than squandering time wastefully behind the wheel. Therefore, Google's car can be viewed as a means in which its technology can shape society into a nation that is more productive. Nevertheless, it
the opposite could occur as well.
Secondly, autonomous cars take the pressure off of our justice system. By removing irresponsible and careless driving, our nation’s police force can focus on taking down real crimes, as
as stimulate civic relief from moving violations and tickets. Self-driving cars will be programmed to move at the speed limit. As fewer people are on the road driving, minor statistical errors that impact
society greatly will allow us to live more carefree lives. Autonomous cars also help our pockets. Granted the initial investment will most likely be higher at first, with great competition from
numerous car manufacturers, it will eventually reduce as the technology advances and the demand increases. Insurance claims on motor vehicle accidents will greatly decrease.
Nevertheless, this will result in society having to readjust its justice system. Although the legality has yet to be determined, technology corporations and
car dealers may have a greater weight on their shoulders as a reliance on the machines they have built have created a greater responsibility on these corporations themselves to behave ethically and invest
wisely. Thus, on the grand scale, autonomous cars will help society and possibly influence more of an ethical environment in larger companies.
Furthermore, once Google's car is released, the technology itself will eventually begin to adapt as well. As we all have seen with the transition from the use of Bluetooth capable headsets to Bluetooth capable
automobiles, the demands and desires of society will continue to shape the technology. The legal statues that will be necessary may also affect the technology as well, for court systems may force Google to redevelop its
machine with specific features included or taken out.
Because this technology has not been introduced into the world yet, it is difficult to capture the true capacity for change that society can have on the technology, as well as the
influence the technology will have on society.
Who Are We?
Hello! Our names are Adrian, Dedrick, and Sorab. We are students at Rutgers University, majoring in Information Technology.
This site serves as a project for our Social Informatics course, which is requiring us to examine an emerging technology based off of the 5 Principles of Social Informatics.
The technology that we are assessing is driverless cars: more specifically, Google's Driverless car.
We hope to demonstrate information regarding background and development, the need for the technology, the public's preconceived notions and expectations of the technology,
the social components of the technology, the technological components of the machine,
the possible paradoxical effects that may result from its application in society, and its its moral consequences.
Research Methods
In order to properly depict Google's Driverless car, we shall be providing information regarding
the basics of the machine that we have found from a list of scholarly journals (which are each
listed in the bibliography portion of the website). Furthermore, we shall be analyzing the videos and interviews provided
by Google in order to communicate frst-hand experiences and results from test drives. Lastly, because the goal of driverless
cars s to increase and promote safety, the technology will be investigated mostly by its ability to seemingly provide a safer means of transportation
without stimulating too many negative paradoxical effects.
Discussion Questions
1. What types of effects do you see this technology having on society?
2. Should society fear technology if it is leading us to a place of technological singularity?
3. How may societies needs over time render driverless cars useless?
4. Will societal demands for lower prices make it almost impossible for Google to make a profit, thus making the project short-lived due to an ability to satiate financial demands?
5. How do you feel our society has created a need for this technology?
