I’ve long thought there should be a way to link web-based and text messaging tools to all the information that’s gathered about the ethical behaviour of corporations. Why can’t I take a web-enabled PDA to the mall, to help me choose between brands, based on which company does the least damage to the environment, for example?
Elizabeth Albrycht examined a similar issue at the recent Les Blogs conference, asking panelists these questions:
- Does the ever-increasing rate of change that we face every day have an
ethical component to it? - Is the rapid pace of technological change,
which often precludes any discussion of social implications, unethical?
She found the answers unsatisfying. Faced with the allure of
capitulation to the speed and volume of technology change, she refuses
"to believe we are at the mercy of technology."
She warns of the danger of using "too much information" as an excuse
for not exercising your good judgement. And she asks for others to join
in the discussion. I’m looking forward to that conversation.
Bob LeDrew pipes in:
"I think her point should be taken up by others. In fact, Annette O’Connor of my university and the Ottawa Health Research Institute, a world-leading expert in the development of ‘decision aids’ for medical patients, has created a "Personal Decision Guide" that can be used to make decisions. Is this something that could lead to things like Albrycht suggests? Quite possibly."