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- Publisher
- Association for Computing Machinery
- Copyright
- Copyright © 2023 Copyright is held by the owner/author(s)
- ISSN
- 0095-2737
- DOI
- 10.1145/3585060.3585061
- Publisher site
- See Article on Publisher Site
Abstract
FROM THE CHAIR Utopian Thinking or Business as Usual: Pondering Next Steps for SIGCAS By DOUGLAS SCHULER With the advent of a new year and the impending the SIGCAS Showcase which we have hosted for the To me all of this comes down to this: developing end of my term as SIGCAS Chair it seems just about last two years and the monthly, less formal, Works in tasks and projects — to be taken on by board the right time to share some thoughts on SIGCAS, its Progress, in which one or more people present their members and by (not-so) ordinary members. This also mission and where we all stand in relation to it. I'd work. We also sponsor two conferences, GoodIT means institutionalization, a word that I also fear and love to hear your thoughts and reactions to this, either Computing for Good and COMPASS (along with dislike! But that's what we need to do — build directly via email, or on the SIGCAS-Talk distribution SIGCHI), the Conference on Computing and processes that assist and persist. This can be list or our Discord server. Sustainable Societies. Also, there is now an ACM accomplished (I believe) more-or-less organically The mission of the SIG raises some of the most Journal that almost has our name written all over it, around gathering volunteers around tasks and projects, critical tasks facing humankind and the earth today. I the Journal of Responsible Computing. And our such as volunteer development, newsletter production, really would rather not sound so melodramatic but financial situation is surprisingly strong. Seems like and event convening. It can also coalesce around new this is the situation I believe we are in. The world is we've been earning more than we've been spending for projects such as developing white papers, op-eds, replete with dangerous threats and computers are at some time. The question to me is how do we best use public debates, or, even software. the core of many of the problems as well as the these financial resources. Our member survey of a couple of years ago possible remedies. As an example, yesterday I ran SIGCAS may be the only international organization helped to identify the interests of our users and these across the literature on ethics and human that is solely devoted to these issues, especially one were used to organize our Discord server, itself a enhancement which is quickly coming into whose membership is open to all at an affordable rate. result of user activism. Then, to my way of thinking, prominence and is guaranteed to introduce issues that The organizational structure within ACM is incredible these areas of user interest could be thought of as we have little experience dealing with. and our members are an enormous if largely untapped predecessors or incubators for Interest or Working It's been a privilege to serve as the chair of this (at least by us) resource. Groups that focused on the specific issues that are SIG and to work with the executive committee, Lisa, part of the broader mission. These groups would Alison, Mikey, and Rick, and with many of you in What Should We Be Doing? begin to think of what type of work could or should various ways. I've enjoyed the role including the We are a SIG like other ACM SIGs, but (at least to be undertaken by that group — and this has already myriad tasks that come with it. I had been thinking me) our guidelines don't seem to be as straightforward happened when Discord participants launched a that I'd run again this time but around the time of my as the ones in other SIGs. For one thing, developing curricular project. As another example, I am interested 70th birthday it dawned on me that I'm supposed to and encouraging critique is absolutely required by our in how groups of all sizes and demographics address slow down. It wasn't just one thing that informed my mission — we are looking at the relationship between shared challenges such as climate change and am decision but the two social media fiascos that computers and society but not just for our edification. interested in a Civic Tech working group, perhaps to happened on my well-meaning but ill-equipped watch This often means calling out powerful entities; our help build networks of collaboration, maybe even likely factored in there somewhere. I'm hoping to boundaries are indistinct and crossing them is critical; using the pattern language approach I presented in our continue working with SIGCAS as a volunteer helping we need to raise issues even if we don't have the first WIP session. where relevant to continue to build the organization power to address them. For example, my article on and address its mission after my term is up in July. "Computing as Oppression" (https://dl.acm.org/doi/ Utopian Thinking? Besides believing in the mission, I firmly believe that 10.1145/3568400) which discusses the rise and spread I used the term "utopian thinking" in the title of SIGCAS will not get to where it ought to be without of oppressive software systems and their adoption by this essay to contrast it with "business as usual." I strong volunteer support and leadership that goes authoritarian governments, which was just published hope that didn't stand in the way of any would-be beyond the executive committee. in ACM's journal Digital Government: Research and readers. "Utopia" literally means nowhere and, I'm sorry that I didn't get to know more of you Practice, explicitly challenges ACM and other obviously, there are no such places on earth — and over my tenure. It's not obvious how that would have professional organizations to take up these alarming there likely will never be one. More, as Immanuel happened but the COVID pandemic certainly developments which is directly related to the work Wallerstein observed, "utopias are breeders of prevented most chances for in-person encounters. The computer professionals do. I would also maintain that illusions and therefore, inevitably, of disillusions." But self introductions that many of you provided when our SIG also has that task before it, the remit to take to my mind, utopian thinking is another thing entirely. the SIGCAS talk list was first used provided some of these issues to the public. This, of course, is not a It means thinking about what can be done to make the most exciting and rewarding experiences I've had trivial undertaking but I believe that it's incredibly things better, a bit closer to utopia, whatever that as chair. I was incredibly impressed with the wide important and should at least be something we would might be. I submit that thinking about computers and range of interests and the passion, intelligence, and look at. society means engaging in this type of thinking — but creativity in the introductions. In fact I am still hoping Increasing the diversity of SIGCAS is critical. we don't have to call it that. that we can try once more with that as it seems like an Currently the membership is mostly male, white, and Obviously, the new leadership team, whose important building block in creating a stronger based in the US, Canada, or western Europe. identities are unknown at this time, is not beholden to SIGCAS community. Increased diversity in the SIG should provide benefits follow these suggestions. At any rate, I'm eager to help for the new members, but also of great importance, it out wherever possible, as SIGCAS moves forward. Our Resources would enrich SIGCAS in many ways. Broadly I see The topic is beguiling to me intellectually — in As part of the look at the SIG we can note the other tasks fitting into program support and addition to it being urgent — and I'm very interested various social media we're involved with. The two development, organizational development, and, in discussing the ideas here within or outside the main platforms at the moment are Discord and ultimately, impact on the world. And at the same time SIGCAS perspective. Twitter, even though Twitter is seen by many as a fast- we need to remember to provide services to our Thank you — and Happy New Year! degrading platform (which, in fact, raises lots and lots members — and this, of course, helps fulfill our of issues that are directly relevant to SIGCAS) and mission. Some ideas that have surfaced along these many people and institutions including ACM and our lines include mentoring, providing opportunities (paid Douglas Schuler SIG now have accounts on Mastodon at the ready. We and unpaid) to put into action goals of the SIGCAS, Historian also have several mailing lists, and Zoom and organization, and to help legitimize and support Public Sphere Project LinkedIn accounts. computers and society work in education, industry, Seattle, Washington, USA We also have two events that we can call our own, and beyond. chair_sigcas@acm.org 6 ACM Computers & Society, Volumen 51 Issue 3, December, 2022
Journal
ACM SIGCAS Computers and Society – Association for Computing Machinery
Published: Feb 21, 2023