213. Techno-Optimism
Many think the specific nature of a technology depends on the humans wielding it, but that tech ultimately serves humanity’s interests. Philosopher John McDermott challenges this view with a simple question: *whose* interests does tech serve?
-Links for the Curious-
Technology – The Opiate of the Intellectuals (McDermott, 1969).pdf – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rnFe0EiPWP6bU7PvmSG2SdsKasHO2sJO/view?usp=sharing
Looking Back in Order to Move Forward (Schwartz Cowan, 2009).pdf – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XKx1Z281rr9AWIwlLXaIZSKH3JIrNGQv/view?usp=sharing
IPCEF Webinar Series: The Ethics of Technical Innovation Webinar – https://youtu.be/kB1C82ndKeM
The Computer That Predicted the U.S. Would Win the Vietnam War- https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2017/10/the-computer-that-predicted-the-us-would-win-the-vietnam-war/542046/
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Blah blah blah. These naysayers were there for every other technological revolution all the way back to the steam engine. Let’s face it- it will be engineers who solve the biggest problems- not social scientists
Technochauvanism at its very best.
Technology gets cheaper and cheaper as it grows in efficiency and ubiquitousness. Politics need be improved, corporations regulated in order to make full use of and guide technological advancement.
Really really good episode! It seems like this is a good piece to contrast to your take on sci-fi being apolitical
Excellent!
Unfortunately, we're on the path of "tech breaks it, tech can fix it" backed by non-nerds.
Tech becomes ever more powerful ‒ so do individuals. Can use for good/bad. Engineers need ethical education in curriculum and design guidelines. Tech won't save us. We need to change the rules of the games, like culture, etc.
Great episode! Even when assuming the best of intentions for "making the world a better place", another way in which looking for technological solutions to problems caused by technology is the rebound effect. This means that technology aimed at reducing use of resources through increased efficiency often ends up leading to a higher of that resource. Common examples are more efficient engines that just lead to bigger cars and the digitalization of workspaces that promised to save trees by getting rid of the paper trail.
Another great work on how our society is fundamentally optimistic about technology is "Technopoly" by Neil Postman.
Great episode