Theory of Constructed Technologies

The perspective that technologies are not neutral tools with inevitable effects. They are built by people with specific values, assumptions, and worldviews embedded in their design. A social media algorithm isn't just code; it's a constructed technology that embodies theories about human attention, social interaction, and value (e.g., engagement = profit). These embedded constructions then shape user behavior, often reinforcing the very worldviews used to build them.

Example: "The dating app's 'matching algorithm' wasn't magic; it was a Theory of Constructed Technology in action. It was built on a model of human attraction as a checklist of preferences, which then taught users to see themselves and others as checklists. The technology didn't just find love; it constructed a new way of looking for it." Theory of Constructed Technologies

Theory of Constructed Technologies by Dumu The Void January 30, 2026