Ikerbasque News

Ikerbasque Researcher: Javier Echeverria

Information and Knowledge Society

In your research you talk of the “third environment”. What environment is being referred to? What does this new environment mean for social activities or what changes has the new environment produced in them?

The “third environment” is a new social ambit made possible by information and communication technologies (ICT). The first environment of human beings is nature (Physis, in philosophical terms), i.e. the biosphere. The second environment is made up of the various towns, cities and states, i.e. the urban environment (Polis, in philosophical terms). The third environment refers to electronic space and I believe has a social, economic and cultural importance comparable to that of the country and the cities for humans.

What has arisen and what is developing in this new environment is a new form of society —the society of information which is superimposed on rural, urban and industrial societies—. Thus, we are not only dealing with new technological tools, nor solely with new means of information and communication. The hypothesis of the third environment establishes that we have here a new social space-time ambit, comparable to the other two great environments of humans, although with a very distinct structure from them. In short, the third environment is a new space for the socialisation and development of the person.

What might it mean for those who do not learn to use this environment or become involved in it?

People can continue to live in the country or the cities, doing without the existence of the new social space, but most innovations and opportunities arise in the third environment, which means those who are not connected to electronic space and do not use ICT technologies will be left out of history, in a backwater of time, not living in their own period.

Who should educate —and how— the new generations to be solvent and self-sufficient in this new situation?

In general, young people know the third environment much better than adults do, unlike what has happened historically. The ones that have the problem of being solvent and self-sufficient in the use of ICTs are the adults, most of whom feel unsure when using some of them and which is why they fear the new social space, it being too novel and demanding new skills. Most young people develop new skills with little difficulty, whether self taught or by shared passing on of knowledge. In short, the educational sector will have to reorganise itself if it wants people to be able to adapt to the third environment and move about in it with some equality of opportunities.

What has it meant for you —professionally and personally— accepting working for Ikerbasque?

I have started on a new scientific and professional career, which is particularly exciting for a senior researcher like myself. I enjoy great freedom in research work and, thanks to that, my scientific productivity is increasing, being able to devote all my time to research. All this without prejudice to me continuing to give PhD and masters classes, these being essential to generate teams and train young researchers.

As regards personal aspects, I am able to live in Euskadi, where my family is, for more time. We will see how Ikerbasque develops and whether or not it increases our integration into the Basque university and research centres. As far as I am concerned, this first phase is highly enjoyable and productive, thanks to the excellent leadership of Ikerbasque that Mari Carmen Gallastegi has given it.