Backroom Research

While reading the articles by Star and Hine et al. about conducting qualitative research, in particular ethnographic research, on information technology and internet “spaces”, I kept thinking about the iPhone as an example of a technological artefact that would be very interesting to examine.   

Taking a cue from Hine’s (et al.) article that mentions that example of “The Pump” from Zimbabwe, the iPhone is perhaps even more complicated. In some ways, the iPhone presents clear boundaries as a discrete object of technology that I can hold in my hand. However, there are many layers to it and as an object that connects to the web, some of the layers are boundless.  How would you define the boundaries of the project of an iPhone ethnography?  What infrastructure would you focus on? What questions could you ask that the iPhone might shed light on?   

The iPhone is so many things depending on the perspective and the questions that are asked.  For example, depending on the person, the iPhone could fulfill many different purposes. For example, there have been numerous articles claiming that smart phones will end the digital divide, because it provides access to the internet for individuals who do not have access to the internet in their homes. However, there have been other studies that claim that because of the limitations of the smart phone (impossible or extremely difficult to fill out forms, write and send in a resume) that it ends up being used as mainly a device to access Facebook or shop. On the other hand, apps are being developed to help with raising cattle in rural parts of the Global South. Some people use their iPhone for exercise and fitness, or as a camera. 

In terms of the external social significance of the iPhone, for some individuals it is a status symbol. Also, interesting to examine the manufacturing and design of the iPhone—this brings to mind Apple workers in China committing suicide related to their poor working conditions. Also the mining of rare earth minerals used in the manufacturing of the iPhone have major geo-political impact.   And even in terms of the programming and coding and issues of compatibility, the example of how the changes Apple made recently in their operating system that now excludes google maps, had a big impact on the users and the company. Part of Apple’s appeal was its user friendliness, but when Apple made this big change, users bumped up against the infrastructure and became of aware of it and experienced difficulties.   

And, I could go on and on….but I’ll stop now. :-)