What Comes after 5G? Reflections on the Ideological Attributes of New Communication Technologies

Abstract

In the 1950s, a vigorous debate on the relationship between technology and societal development emerged in Western theoretical circles, which continues to influence contemporary discussions. Under the banner of progressivism, science and technology were considered neutral, serving as essential drivers of societal progress. The Frankfurt School first proposed the idea that "science and technology are ideologies," exposing the negative aspects of the technological ideology in capitalist societies, while communication political economists also emphasized the "non-neutrality" of technology. The communication environment in Chinese society is currently being rewritten and reshaped by new communication technologies such as 5G, algorithms, and big data. As we anticipate the possibilities brought by these new communication technologies, it is essential to consider their ideological attributes. Technology itself is a result of social processes, and beyond the development logic dominated by the state and capital, more people should be involved in the design and selection of new communication technologies.