ABSTRACT
A popular discourse on technological change claims that the relationship between (new) technologies and quality of life is a straightforward one as new technologies lead to a better quality of life. Technologies are invented to improve efficiency and the overall standard of living as well as to make our lives easier, better and more enjoyable. Consumption in general and the consumption of technologies in particular are seen as an integral part of this increased quality of life. Such a familiar utopian and optimistic view of technology has its dystopian mirror image where technologies are seen as a threat to the quality of life, human values, freedom and even earthly survival. According to this view, the consumption of technologies causes stress, enhances inequality and only serves hyper-capitalism and alienation. In between these extreme positive and negative dimensions of the information society is a myriad of positions, debates and oppositions being negotiated within academic and policy circles (Burgelman, 2000a).
