> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://nextbook.technosemiotics.eu/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://nextbook.technosemiotics.eu/computer-systems-as-social-and-semiotic-technologies.md).

# Computer systems as social and semiotic technologies

> **“Determinism inhibits the development of democratic controls on technology because it suggests that all interventions are futile. This is as true for science as it is for technology (Bijker, 1985; Collins and Pinch, 1993).”** 
>
> (Bijker, 1995, p. 281)

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<figure><img src="https://3636858198-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FjOI7fCUFF8DL08rRCHqw%2Fuploads%2FxSVur1ldtHhY8leYSvZ0%2FAI_def_31.png?alt=media&amp;token=cdc1d3c9-a5b0-4c9f-a548-295e561dfbe9" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>