Resumen
In this article, the author discusses how computer professionals can contribute to the culture of democracy. Computer professionals are specialists and their duty is to understand, maintain and advance the vast digital machineries. The author's contention is that their understanding of these critical technologies compels them to accept greater responsibility and their engagement with the world should be raised as concerned citizens to greater levels of visibility and appreciation. If computer professionals are exclusively organic intellectuals destined for academia or industry to practice a solely technical discipline, their ability to be a proactive and progressive force in society will be insignificant. Computer professionals as founts of knowledge, skill, and innovation, could be key agents in the redirection of communication technology toward democratic ends. He suggests that computer professionals can reprioritize their lives to some degree and engage in interdisciplinary and collaborative work with other researchers as well as practitioners in education, development, social services, social activism, and the government to help build a civic culture. INSET: SCN Principles