> 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)

<figure><img src="/files/qYGKfoMmUium6rYAu5rU" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="/files/xBnDzaCodKSGLzNESK6b" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>