Decoding the power of pixels
The book opens by challenging the idea that geography has lost relevance in the digital age. While digital platforms create cloud societies that transcend borders, physical geography continues to shape political conflicts, national identity, and governance. The early chapters trace geography's enduring influence on politics, governance, and development—offering a sharp, counterintuitive take that challenges the common belief in the digital age's borderless reality.
A key theme in the book is how digitalisation has upended established notions of community and identity. The authors highlight the rise of mediated selves, where individuals construct online personas that diverge from their real-world identities and can sometimes lack authenticity—'Digital life has transformed our sense of self and our relationships with others. Not only do we live mediated lives ourselves; our relationships—romantic, familial, collegial and others—are all mediated as well.'
Social media has amplified parasocial relationships, allowing prominent public figures to shape global narratives beyond their physical locations. However, this also produces the risk of algorithm-driven interactions reinforcing echo chambers and distorting historical memory.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Don't ignore dragon: Top policy expert explains why India's $10 trillion dream can't become reality without China
India cannot hope to become a $10 trillion economy without a substantial trade relationship with China , said Samir Saran, President of the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), in a conversation on the ANI podcast. He noted that India's growing economy will need strong commercial links with its largest trading partner, even as strategic and defence differences continue. 'There is no way that you can be a $10 trillion economy without having a substantial trading relationship with China,' Saran said, while emphasising the need for clarity in national interest and sectoral safeguards. India should learn from China-US relationship model Citing China's approach to the US, Saran said both countries traded extensively even while investing in deterrence capabilities. 'China built capabilities to deter the U.S. while expanding trade with it. We must do the same—build deterrence and roll out the red carpet for economic engagement.' Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category MCA PGDM Cybersecurity Data Science MBA healthcare Management Leadership Design Thinking Technology Data Analytics Others Product Management CXO Finance Degree Public Policy others Data Science Operations Management Artificial Intelligence Digital Marketing Healthcare Project Management Skills you'll gain: Programming Proficiency Data Handling & Analysis Cybersecurity Awareness & Skills Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Duration: 24 Months Vellore Institute of Technology VIT Master of Computer Applications Starts on Aug 14, 2024 Get Details 'We have to take a page out of their book and do to China what the Chinese did to the Americans: have political muscularity and an economic embrace,' he concluded. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo Trade and security must be dealt with separately Saran also cautioned against linking Pakistan's use of Chinese-origin missiles with direct involvement by China. 'The challenge is not about the hardware. The challenge is about the potential of collaboration during conflicts,' he said. He added that India should focus on diplomatic efforts to prevent military coordination between China and Pakistan rather than only on arms transfers. China returns as India's top trading partner in FY24 According to Global Trade Research Initiative ( GTRI ) data, China reclaimed the position of India's top trading partner in FY24, overtaking the US after two years. India imported goods worth US$ 101.74 billion from China, comprising over 15 percent of total imports. India's exports to China also grew, reaching US$ 16.65 billion, led by iron ore, engineering goods, marine products, and chemicals. Total bilateral trade reached US$ 118.40 billion, according to India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF). Live Events Strategic tensions didn't halt trade Samir highlighted despite the Himalayan border standoff during the pandemic, trade between India and China continued to grow. 'That's pragmatism,' Saran said, referring to India's decision to ban certain Chinese apps while allowing commerce to continue. He argued that India should draw clear boundaries around 5–6 critical sectors to avoid Chinese involvement, while remaining open in others. 'Political muscularity and economic embrace is fine,' he added. Investment gap needs correction Saran said the investment imbalance must shift in India's favour. 'The trading advantage is with China. The balance of investments must belong to us,' he said. As per IBEF data, China ranks 22nd among foreign investors in India, with cumulative FDI of US$ 2.50 billion since 2000—just 0.35 percent of total inflows. He suggested that if Chinese firms invested between US$ 50–100 billion in India, it could act as a stabilising factor in bilateral relations. 'That could create a sobering effect on strategic decision-making,' he said. Engage with clarity and strength Saran stressed that India must attract investment without compromising national interest. 'We should identify sectors where Chinese capital can contribute without compromising national security, and do this through rational, well-informed policymaking.' Rejecting any suggestion that deeper economic ties would require India to soften its strategic position, he said, 'A strong economic relationship with China must be built on mutual respect, and that includes respect for India's political and military strength.'
New Indian Express
04-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Decoding the power of pixels
In GeoTechnoGraphy: Mapping Power and Identity in the Digital Age, Samir Saran and Anirban Sarma critically examine how digital platforms have reshaped human interactions, disrupted traditional institutions, and redefined global power structures. Through rigorous analysis, the authors introduce the concept of geotechnography, a collision of technology and geography, as a framework to understand contemporary geopolitical and social transformations. As nations struggle to assert control over digital domains, the book brings democracy, sovereignty, and international norms into a compelling framework—making its insights especially engaging in an age dominated by Big Tech. The book opens by challenging the idea that geography has lost relevance in the digital age. While digital platforms create cloud societies that transcend borders, physical geography continues to shape political conflicts, national identity, and governance. The early chapters trace geography's enduring influence on politics, governance, and development—offering a sharp, counterintuitive take that challenges the common belief in the digital age's borderless reality. A key theme in the book is how digitalisation has upended established notions of community and identity. The authors highlight the rise of mediated selves, where individuals construct online personas that diverge from their real-world identities and can sometimes lack authenticity—'Digital life has transformed our sense of self and our relationships with others. Not only do we live mediated lives ourselves; our relationships—romantic, familial, collegial and others—are all mediated as well.' Social media has amplified parasocial relationships, allowing prominent public figures to shape global narratives beyond their physical locations. However, this also produces the risk of algorithm-driven interactions reinforcing echo chambers and distorting historical memory.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
28-04-2025
- Business Standard
Raisina Chronicles: A public square for global dialogue and debate
In their editors' note to Raisina Chronicles: India's Global Public Square, S Jaishankar and Samir Saran write: 'The imperative of dialogue in polarised times is self-evident. And it has gained salience precisely because the promise of globalisation has been visibly broken.' The publication of the book celebrates the tenth anniversary of the Raisina Dialogue, an international conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics that has been convened in Delhi since 2016. This platform, which brings together heads of state, government officials, policymakers, diplomats and leaders of intergovernmental organisations, along with business leaders, media persons, experts from the development sector and members of civil society, is a collaboration between the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) and the Government of India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Therefore, it is fitting that the volume is edited by Rajya Sabha member Mr Jaishankar, who has been India's External Affairs Minister since May 2019, and ORF President Mr Saran, who is the Curator of the Raisina Dialogue. The book is valuable for readers interested in international relations and public policy as fields of study and practice. The language used here seems accessible enough for seasoned and early-career professionals, as well as students. Moreover, it is a useful resource for people who watch television shows like Barbara Hall's Madam Secretary, David Guggenheim's Designated Survivor and Deborah Kahn's The Diplomat for the high-octane drama and are curious about how politicians and diplomats build alliances and resolve conflicts in real life. It is divided into seven sections: (1) Changing Realities: Shifts in the World Order; (2) Shared Visions: Unbreakable Bilateral Ties; (3) New Opportunities: European Future in the Indo-Pacific; (4) Guards of Honour: Forging a More Secure World; (5) Viral World: Outbreaks, Outliers and Out of Control; (6) Unblurred Vision: Development with a Difference; and (7) At the Helm of Power: India, Raisina and the New Way Forward. Each section features reflections by speakers from various countries who have participated in the Raisina Dialogue and have rich insights to offer about key priorities in specific geographies and across the world. Rosa Balfour (Director, Carnegie Europe) and Zakaria Al Shmaly (Research Analyst, Carnegie Europe) acknowledge the European Union's 'blind spots', particularly its limited engagement with the 'Global South', and the need to understand critiques of its migration and asylum policy that treats white Christian and brown Muslim refugees differently. Kwame Owino (CEO, Institute of Economic Affairs) and Jackline Kagume (constitution, law and economy programme head at the Institute of Economic Affairs, Kenya) point out that Sub-Saharan Africa is 'the least embedded in global economic affairs and commerce' and advocate for 'access to regional and global markets' to ensure prosperity for countries represented by the African Union. The book addresses subjects such as democracy, climate finance, maritime security, gender equality, soft power, vaccine equity, public-private partnerships, and terrorism. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, for instance, calls terrorism 'a cancer that needs to be faced through wide international cooperation'. With Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announcing his readiness for a neutral investigation into the Pahalgam terror attack, it remains to be seen how this international cooperation pans out, and whether it amounts to more than lip service. Mohammed Soliman (director, strategic technologies and cyber security program at the Middle East Institute, Washington, DC) compliments 'India's growing voice in world affairs' for making the Raisina Dialogue 'a critical pathway for conflicting parties to utilise'. He writes, 'Not many global capitals have the diplomatic pull to host Israel, Iran, the Palestinians, and the Arab states under one roof to debate the most contentious regional and global issues'. Amrita Narlikar (president and professor, German Institute for Global and Area Studies) points out that the Raisina Dialogue 'is more inclusive and more diverse' than the Munich Security Conference and the World Economic Forum. What makes it stand out is not only 'its location in a democratic nation in the Global South' but also the decision to 'enable the participation of the interested public' rather than having closed-door meetings. This congratulatory tone pervades the book. While it reinforces the significance and impact of the Raisina Dialogue for multiple stakeholders, there is hardly any reflection on challenges encountered over the last 10 years and areas of improvement that have been identified either by the organisers or the participants. Introspection and feedback are crucial for growth. The other contributors to the volume range from United Nations Secretary General António Guterres, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Rwandan President Paul Kagame to former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen J Harper, Former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director David Petraeus, and Mexican Minister of Economy Marcelo Ebrard. The absence of voices from India's own neighbourhood — Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Myanmar, Afghanistan, China, and the Maldives — is quite conspicuous. Since the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has failed to help members settle disputes, the Raisina Dialogue could serve as a forum to have some of those conversations.
