For the first two decades of this century, it was widely thought that new technologies would deliver a tangible and inexorable rise in wellbeing for everyone.
Technology promised us new ways to learn and to be entertained; to find new relationships and to strengthen existing ones. It offered a means to make our working lives easier, and our social lives more exciting.
But assumptions about the value of technology are starting to fall away.
AI in targeted advertising is getting better at exploiting our fears and insecurities, while apps, games and online services encroach further into our privacy.
Hacking and digital surveillance are the new battlefields between states and governments, while advances in digital currencies and encryption facilitate criminal and terrorist activity and the sharing of abusive material.
Mobile technology has fueled the rise of the gig economy, making jobs and livelihoods more unstable, while social media is causing material harm to the mental health of many young people.
Undoubtedly, new technology has delivered life-changing improvements to millions across the world. But some are beginning to feel that technology has brought as many problems as it has solutions.
Few of us would give up our smartphones at the drop of a hat; but many of us can think of technologies we would rather do without. In any case, the technology-filled world we inhabit now has changed enormously.
For this issue, we want submissions to explore the theme: Beyond Tech. We’re seeking commentary on the social, cultural, economic, political and philosophical implications of new technologies, where they have taken us so far, and where they are taking us in the future.
We don’t expect submissions to demonstrate a deep technical understanding of how new technologies work. Neither do we expect you to write exclusively about technology at all: you may feel that there are other social phenomena – which are either the byproducts of technologies, or have nothing to do with them – which deserve our attention when we’re thinking about how our world is being shaped for the future.
The deadline for submissions is Friday, 7th January.
We are looking for submissions of a length between 800 and 2,000 words, formatted along the lines of our style guide.
If you have an idea for a submission but you’re not sure if it’s what we’re looking for, you’re welcome to pitch it to us before you write a full-length piece.
Typically we have more submissions than we can accept, so you are encouraged to make submissions well in advance of the deadline. If we like your submission but cannot accept it for the sixth issue, we will publish it separately online.
If you would like to make a submission or have any questions, email us at oxfordpoliticalreview@gmail.com