Digital transformations shape new ways of living, thinking, producing and relating in society
*By Luiz Felipe Vieira de Siqueira
The 21st century is characterized by intense social transformations driven by technological advances, reshaping human and institutional interactions. Digitalization and the massive use of the internet alter the dynamics of society, introducing new challenges related to security, privacy, and sustainability (Castells, 1999). Theoretical models such as information society, a risk society, a society of the spectacle and the society of fatigue provide interpretations of this context and its effects on individuals and communities. This article analyzes these models and their implications for contemporary society, highlighting the impacts of the digital age on social, economic, and psychological structures.
Information society: centrality of knowledge and technology
THE information society is a distinct social model, based on technological networks and microelectronics, which enables production, distribution and organization of information dynamically (Castells, 1999). Knowledge becomes a determining factor for economic growth and innovation, making the development of technological infrastructure and advanced cognitive skills essential. According to Castells (2006), this new communication paradigm, called mass self-communication, allows individuals and collectives to disseminate content without the need for mediation by traditional media.
The transition to networked societies directly impacts individual and collective identity, in addition to reshaping the relationship between the state and its citizens. For the benefits of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) are fully utilized, it is necessary for public policies to adapt to this new reality, strengthening educational training and promoting digital inclusion (Castells, 1999).
Risk society: uncertainty and impossibility of control
The concept of risk society, developed by Beck, Giddens, and Lash (1997), highlights the growing exposure to uncertainties that are beyond the control of traditional institutions. Technological advancement, while generating progress, also creates risks that cannot be fully measured or predicted. The Chernobyl nuclear accident, for example, illustrates how effects of contemporary risks can span generations and challenge regulatory systems (Lemos, 2009).
Risk in the digital society manifests itself in cybersecurity, information manipulation, and dependence on technological systems. Reflexive modernization, according to Beck, Giddens, and Lash (1997), highlights how society, in attempting to control risk, ends up creating new vulnerabilities. This reality demands mitigation strategies, requiring regulatory policies and preventive measures to minimize negative impacts on the digital environment (Pereira, 2008).
Society of the spectacle: image, attention and surveillance capitalism
The work of Guy Debord (1967) describes the society of the spectacle as a social model in which everyday life is mediated by images and representations, distancing individuals from authentic experience. With the advent of the digital age, this phenomenon has intensified through social media, where metrics, digital validation, and identity curation become central mechanisms of interaction (Montag; Duken, 2018).
The digital show is interconnected to the surveillance capitalism, a concept developed by Zuboff (2019), which describes the collection and commercialization of behavioral data as a form of social control. Platforms like Google, Facebook, and TikTok profit from user retention and the monetization of their attention. In this sense, individuals not only consume images, but become products within the information economy (Debord, 1997).
Society of fatigue: hyperproductivity and mental exhaustion
Byung-Chul Han (2015) characterizes the society of fatigue as an era of self-exploration, where individuals perceive themselves as entrepreneurs of themselves, driven by the need for continuous performance. This model generates mental disorders, such as anxiety and depression, and compromises the contemplative capacity of individuals.
Daniel Kahneman (2012) contributes to this analysis by presenting the cognitive systems that govern human thought. The System 1 is intuitive and automatic, while the System 2 is analytical and requires effort. In the context of the performance society, System 2 is constantly overloaded, leading to mental exhaustion and dependence on impulsive decisions. This dynamic intensifies cycles of hyperproductivity and contributes to cognitive fatigue (Kahneman, 2012).
Conclusion
The digital age has brought structural changes to social and economic organization, but also significant challenges related to safety, identity, attention, and mental exhaustion. The intersection between information society, risk, spectacle and fatigue highlights how digitalization reorganizes forms of sociability and creates new tensions in everyday life. For these impacts to be managed sustainably, it is necessary to adapt public policies and develop strategies that promote digital inclusion, information security and balance between productivity and well-being.
*Luiz Felipe Vieira de Siqueira is a lawyer, researcher at Think Tank ABES, PhD student in Innovation & Technology – PPGIT UFMG and partner at Privacy Point.
Notice: The opinion presented in this article is the responsibility of its author and not of ABES - Brazilian Association of Software Companies
Article originally published on the IT Forum website: https://itforum.com.br/colunas/sociedade-era-digital-impactos/
References
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PEREIRA, R. Risks of Modernity: Science and Social Impacts. Belo Horizonte: UFMG, 2008.
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