The democratization of culture and the socialization of knowledge in a context of crisis

Abstract

There is undoubtedly a close relationship between the social use of information and communication technologies, especially mobile technologies, and the democratisation of culture (in both production and reception processes), in the sense of extending culture and its appropriation. However, it is perhaps more appropriate to link this concept to the socialisation of culture, as it relates to citizens' capacity to actively access culture, as critical consumers, but also as producers and issuers. The concept of democratisation, on the other hand, would imply egalitarian access to culture at all times and taking equal advantage of the potential of technologies to turn citizens into issuers and producers of all kinds of contents and messages (journalistic, literary, artistic, textual, iconic, etc.). One of the reasons for this is that in the digital society, social, economic and intellectual divides also continue to exist. If the democratisation of culture is possible to the full extent of its meaning, it will be because we either know or we don't know how to incorporate the new digital technologies that are developing in our setting into projects that result in the cultural enrichment of all citizens and the improvement of the conditions surrounding access to culture, thereby eliminating the existing gaps. It should also enable us to take steps towards achieving a cultured society, based on the ethical principles and values of any democratic society. However, although this is a pressing objective, it should not be considered sufficient just to provide generalised access to culture, which is the basis for it to be considered democratic, but rather to promote a culture that also contributes to the democratisation of society.