How to reap the benefits of the “digital revolution”? Modularity and the commons

Abstract

A significant potential of the digital revolution has not been fully realized. A contextual shift has to take place to build institutions that would harness the power of a fundamental aspect of digital technologies: modularity. I show why modularity lies at the heart of digital technologies and describe its strengths and drawbacks. Further, I discuss an emerging mode of production premised on modularity, which may point towards a more sustainable and inclusive digital transformation yet to come.