The World Wide Web’s shadow of opportunity: A Heideggerian perspective of authenticity in the information age

This paper will examine Heidegger’s conditions for Dasein (human being) discovering its authenticity through acting in the world in such a way as to create meaning for itself through its relation to itself, others and the world. (I will follow Heidegger’s convention of using the third person singular neuter pronoun form when referring to Dasein.) First, we will consider the relevancy of Heidegger’s existential analysis and investigation of technology in the information age. We will then discuss structures of being in the world and examine inauthentic and authentic modes of being. Next, we will consider three modes of “fallenness” that prevent Dasein from realizing a meaningful relationship to itself, others, and the world, and how the World Wide Web contributes to these conditions. Finally, four principles for authentic being with the Web are proposed and discussed.