"The Enlightenment was founded on the idea that facts and information would enable us to understand the world and help us make it a better place. So it is not surprising that at the outset of the internet era, we imagined that it would be a good thing for us all to have access to as much information as possible. But many now complain that we are overwhelmed by it. Moreover, critics argue information is never neutral and always presented from a point of view and a potentially hidden agenda. A so-called 'view from nowhere' is impossible and information and data inevitably contains bias. Late philosopher Bruno Latour argued that facts ""are not discovered but constructed.” While data scientist Cathy O'Neil states, ""Algorithms are opinions embedded in code.""
Is there no such thing as information since it cannot be neutral in the first place and more information not desirable? Do we need gatekeepers to sift and assess 'information' for us? Or is access to raw information not only liberating but vital to respond to a world of unsupported opinion?"
