The internet of things as socio-technological institution of civil society in post-informational era

Abstract

We live in the post-informational era. Nowadays technologies transform many segments of human life. The Internet of things is becoming one of the most important information technologies that can change and has already changed the lives of people around the world. Under the Internet of Things (IoT) is understood the concept of a computer network that unites the most diverse devices, between which interaction is possible. These devices can also interact with the external environment without human participation or with minimal participation. The various components of the Internet of Things are widely used in everyday life. In addition, components of the Internet of things are actively being introduced into industrial processes. The functioning of the Internet of things is possible within the framework of many software and technology platforms. Many of them are developed and supported by large IT-corporations. On the one hand, this is a natural process, on the other hand, corporations can impose certain technological and software platforms to their users. These processes are unfolded in a post-consumer society, in which centers of political and economic power, through manipulative information-ideological and marketing strategies can influence on the life and choice of a person. It seems to us that within the Internet of things it is possible to develop software and technologies platforms through the efforts of local communities, small businesses, that is, decentralized and multiple structures as elements of civil society. In current conditions and at the local level, society itself can create technological and software platforms capable to solve a number of daily life tasks, influence on certain segments of political life, and form a social consensus on a local scale.