Digitization and Bureaucracy—the Unholy Twins

Dear Reader

The annual report of a small media company described how journalism is set to face massive changes. It goes without saying that terms such as “technological innovation,” “new methods of data analysis,” and “cross-media communication” were sure to be included. “Algorithm-driven content production” isn’t exactly new either. Well, I’ve taken a closer look at the media outlet in question time and again, and with the best will in the world, I haven’t been able to discover any innovations or other advances. I don’t want to doubt that some of the brashly written news agency reports were indeed produced with the help of artificial intelligence. In short, I can’t find any added value for the reader—at most, for the business...

With the much-vaunted digitalization, almost anything is possible. Sometimes I suspect that the less we understand about it, the more likely we are to blindly rubber-stamp IT projects. When the first EU drone laws were announced, one speaker remarked that requiring model airplane pilots to register would be the lesser of two evils... Only a few spoke out clearly against it at the time, thereby prioritizing bureaucracy and centralism over people’s freedom to enjoy their leisure time. If you don’t fight, you’ve already lost! And we’ll have to keep a very close eye on things, because centralism is often hidden in new applications and installations. Anyone who doesn’t go along with it is considered hopelessly outdated. Or psychotherapy is recommended. Neither the private sector nor public administration is spared from digital dead ends—we see similar phenomena in associations as well. One project follows another. Bad investments running into the millions—see the federal administration, where, despite—or because of—digitalization, several hundred new employees are added every year. Digitalization can make many things easier for us and take a load off our shoulders. In any case, I believe careful consideration is preferable to a blanket condemnation. Often, simple tasks are solved with complex programs—using a sledgehammer to crack a nut; as if we were trying to cut gingerbread with a chainsaw—which brings us right back to Christmas.

On behalf of the editorial team, we wish you a restful Christmas and all the best for the New Year.

Emil Ch. Giezendanner and Markus Nussbaumer

The opinions expressed on this page by the editor—as well as by other authors of this issue—do not necessarily reflect the official position of the SMV. Readers can find official association announcements in the “SMV” section.