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Computing Our Way to Paradise?

The Role of Internet and Communication Technologies in Sustainable Consumption and Globalization

Computing Our Way to Paradise? cover

Computing Our Way to Paradise?

The Role of Internet and Communication Technologies in Sustainable Consumption and Globalization

Description

Rattle's new book challenges key assumptions concerning the role of Internet and communication technologies (ICTs) in globalization processes. The author argues that while globalization is predicated upon a strong, extensive, and interconnected global ICT network of products, processes, and services, the real environmental and health benefits remain far from certain. ICTs have been promoted as the next economic wave with the potential to generate jobs, wealth, and prosperity to surpass that of the industrial era. It is assumed the environmental impacts will be negligible or even beneficial in this shift towards a service economy. Rattle investigates these current and expected trends in ICTs and their potential contribution to sustainable development. His book is an indispensable overview for researchers and instructors in globalization, Internet communication technologies, and environmental anthropology or sociology, as well as a resource for policy makers in environmental protection, sustainable development, sustainable consumption, and the social role of science and technology.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Foreword: Global Social Narcosis at the Speed of Light: How the Internet and Communications Technologies are gobbling resources, eradicating cultures, and destroying the planet, and what can be done to stop the runaway train
Chapter 2 Chapter 1. ICTs and Globalization: Asking Important Questions
Chapter 3 Chapter 2. The Poverty of Affluence: Sustainable Consumption and Global Environmental Change
Chapter 4 Chapter 3. Virtual Morality: Globalization, ICTs, and Sustainable Consumption
Chapter 5 Chapter 4. Lulled to Complacency: ICTs and Energy and Materials Consumption
Chapter 6 Chapter 5. The Efficiency Paradox: Intensity and Consumption
Chapter 7 Chapter 6. From Social Meanings to Global Conformity: ICTs and the Global Commons
Chapter 8 Chapter 7. Pathological Tendencies: The Health Link
Chapter 9 Chapter 8. Incantations and ICTs: A Global Ideological Pervasion
Chapter 10 Chapter 9. Redefining Reality, Transforming Values
Chapter 11 Chapter 10. Global Transformations: Serious Considerations and Promising Opportunities

Product details

Published Jan 16 2010
Format Ebook (PDF)
Edition 1st
Extent 246
ISBN 9798216296263
Imprint AltaMira Press
Series Globalization and the Environment
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

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