the Big Machine is, to me, societal expectations/ assumptions about technology/ technique. So these need to be addressed alongside architectures/ platforms etc.

While I would not go so far as to say that “The Machine” (the ‘net, I guess?) is *the* problem, it seems pretty clear that all our technological innovations do cause some new problems and exacerbate some old ones.

As librarians and information scientists, we really do have a unique arsenal of concepts and experience to draw on; all it takes is a little more organisation and a bit of risk to be more vocal.

I think CILIP needs support from the “edges” of the profession at this point too, all the advice and advocacy cannot come just from the “centre” any more. Or to put it another way, practising professionals are the centre, and have been below society’s radar too long!

I am glad others are pointing to the ‘real’ issues- social, cultural, political. Too often it is assumed that the machine will fix all, when really the Big Machine is the problem.