Communications of the ACM

can be addressed directly by helping “have-nots” with education, mentor-ship, funding, and introductions to influential people. Technologists can propagate their own skills and networks, for example, by teaching programming or connecting budding entrepreneurs with seasoned ones. Conversely, giving someone the latest gadget does little in and of itself to help that person close any disparities. A metronome is a useful tool, but it does not make the concert musician.

Finally, all of us can engage the political process as citizens. Technologists often look down on politics, but inequality is a political issue. The computing industry has immense influence, and we can engage in ways beyond the skills of our professional training—just as some already do with political issues that matter to them, such as immigration.

Because technology amplifies human forces, if we ensure social currents are appropriately directed, then all of our amazing technology will work in humanity’s favor.

References

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4. Fernandez, M. E. Zach Braff raises money—and ire—with Kickstarter campaign for new film. NBC News (May 22, 2013); http://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/zach-braff-raises-money- ire-kickstarter-campaign-new-film-f6C10026213

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Macmillan, 2006.

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Online Education and Why. Simon and Schuster, 2014.

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Kentaro Toyama ( toyama@umich.edu) is W.K. Kellogg Associate Professor at the University of Michigan School of Information and author of Geek Heresy: Rescuing Social Change from the Cult of Technology.

Copyright held by author.

And yet, it was exactly where people were less skilled that we most wanted to provide support. For technology to help the world’s least privileged, it requires exactly the human foundation that is missing to begin with.

So, what is to be done? And more specifically, how can computer scientists concerned about inequality contribute? The Law of Amplification points the way.

First, those already doing some-
thing to counter inequality should
use technology to amplify their ef-
forts. Indiscriminate dissemination
of technology is futile, but targeted
use to amplify progressive forces can
be effective. For instance, social ac-
tivists fighting for progressive policy
should use whatever communication
channels they have available to get
their message out. (They should be
braced for an ongoing effort, how-
ever, because it is their voice, not
the technology, which is the primary
cause of change.)

Second, those with the proverbial hammer in search of nails should work with good carpenters. The impact of individuals or organizations that are combatting inequality successfully can often be amplified with good technology. Of course, where there aren’t good carpenters, the tools won’t work themselves.