Digital Totalitarianism

Exploring the challenges to democracy, Digital Totalitarianism examines surveillance, critical thinking decline, and the rise of conspiracy theories in a computational society.

The book Digital Totalitarianism delves into the significant threats posed to democratic values by our current computational systems. It examines how these systems affect the freedom of inquiry, personal autonomy of thought, and the management of human creativity under a NeoLiberal framework. Furthermore, the rise of social media has contributed to a decline in critical thinking, fostering a culture where conspiracy theories can thrive unchecked.

In Digital Totalitarianism, the authors highlight the pervasive nature of surveillance enabled by digital networks, which allows both governmental and corporate entities to monitor individuals. This creates a concerning imbalance of power, as each person's daily data can be exploited for manipulative purposes by influential institutions. The book provides a thorough analysis of the erosion of fundamental human values in free societies, discussing issues such as government surveillance of library activities, debates on cognitive enhancement, and the increasing commercialization of art education.

The multidisciplinary approach of Digital Totalitarianism makes it a valuable resource for a wide audience, including scholars, students, policymakers, journalists, and the general public. By integrating perspectives from Communication, Rhetoric, Library Sciences, Art, and New Media, the book addresses the complex questions surrounding totalitarian tendencies in our digital age.