The battle for democracy has, since the seventeenth century, been a struggle to give dignity and autonomy to human voice. The right to speak in one’s own voice about any matter of social importance, invoking any facts, theories, or values, without governments having the right to censor or constrain open comment, has been the defining characteristic of democratic societies.
Tag Archives | community
The Challenge of Digital Hearing
Beyond Participation: Designing for the Civic Web
The web and mobile phones have transformed how people engage in local civic life. Information is more accessible and opportunities to participate are more apparent. But as traditional indicators of civic engagement are in decline, including voting and meeting attendance, what I call the civic web is in need of design.