In December of 2010 we began our first major research project, examining the future of authority.

The goal of this project is to investigate how authority is changing in the network age. How is it established, how is it maintained, how is it legitimized? Is a new form of authority emerging? How can and should authority react to dissidents and opposition?

As social upheaval and discontent with government spreads across the Middle East and Northern Africa, doing so in a very consciously networked, internet-oriented way, we begin to wonder about the implications for North America, South America, Europe, and Asia, places that are even more networked and have broader online access. With this report we examine the implications of the internet as a challenge to and the legitimization of authority.

Methodology

We approach these questions using interdisciplinary research techniques. We draw from the specializations of our associates, specializations that are academically or professionally developed. We also draw from the primary research conducted for (and talking points drawn out during) our weekly teleseminars, many of which touch on elements of the future of authority. Finally, we employ the internal research we conduct on issues for ourselves and for our clients.

Events to date:

Opening Teleseminar
In the Wake of Wikileaks
Will the revolution be played?
Popular Uprisings
Social Media’s Impact on Public Affairs
Cryptography and Cryptohierarchy
Free and Open Source
Persuasion vs. Dialogue
Bitcoin and Alternative Currencies
Mid-term Report [live event]
Understanding McLuhan
Data Visualization
eSickness or eHealth?
The Challenge of 'Single Click Citizenry'
Algorithmic Decision Making
Owning the Internet

These teleseminars build our knowledge base by giving us a direction in which to focus our research, and also by giving us access to unique and valuable perspectives through the varied non-Metaviews associates in attendance at the discussions.

Deliverables:

Regular teleseminars
Preliminary 6 month report in June 2011
Final report in February 2012

This page will be updated as we progress with this project ...