Is The Internet Closing Our Minds Politically?

In 'The Net Delusion', Evgeny Morozov challenges the idea that the Internet inherently promotes democracy. He argues that technologies like the Internet are ideologically neutral and can be used by both democratic and authoritarian forces. The book explores how authoritarian regimes exploit the Internet to maintain control and spread their ideologies.

In 'The Filter Bubble,' Eli Pariser discusses the unintended consequences of web personalization. He argues that while personalization makes the internet more user-friendly, it also creates a bubble that prevents users from encountering new and diverse ideas. The book examines the impact of this phenomenon on various stakeholders, including everyday users, scholars, and marketers, and suggests ways to mitigate its negative effects. Pariser draws on interviews with Google engineers, scholars, and privacy advocates to illustrate the complexities of personalized information environments and their implications for democracy and innovation.