DIGITAL FALSE CONSCIOUSNESS: DENIAL, EMBARRASSMENT OR ENGAGEMENT FOR IS RESEARCHERS?

In this provocation we argue that although the IS discipline espouses multiple epistemologies, we mythologize digital technology and this undermines our epistemic capabilities for open critical inquiry into its socially destructive potential. While negative effects from the digital colonization of everyday life continue to intensify, IS researchers seem only capable of apprehending the potential benefits of digital technologies. We conjecture this inability to apprehend its antihuman potentials is rooted in digital false consciousness. As a social science discipline that aims to advance knowledge about digital technologies, IS researchers must critically reflect on our relationship to technology if we are to play a role in protecting humanity from its destructive potentials. In this provocation we will first define digital false consciousness then raise six critical questions to stimulate debate and reflection.