30-Oct-20
This podcast features Tristan Harris, a technology ethicist and co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology. The episode delves into the dangers of social media and how it manipulates our brains, explores the impact of these platforms on our mental health, and discusses potential solutions for a more humane digital world. Provocative topics include the race to the bottom of the brainstem for attention, the ethics of algorithms and censorship, and the role of technology companies in shaping our views of reality. Underlying themes explore the potential for social media to undermine democracy, the importance of critical thinking in a digital age, and the need for a global shift in how we think about and use technology.
Major Topics & 4-Point Summary
- The Social Dilemma:
- The Social Dilemma documentary highlighted the dangers of social media, revealing how platforms are designed to manipulate our attention and emotions.
- It alerted viewers to the fact that we are the product, not the customer, and our predictable behavior is what is being monetized.
- The film focused on the core influencer impact of these platforms on our psychology, rather than just data privacy and censorship.
- It sparked a global conversation about the ethics of social media and the potential harm it is causing.
- The Race for Attention:
- Social media companies are constantly competing for our attention, employing various manipulative techniques to keep us engaged.
- These tactics include using slot machine rewards, social validation, and algorithms designed to predict and exploit our weaknesses.
- This relentless pursuit of attention has led to a “junk attention economy” where attention spans are shortened and the quality of information is diminished.
- This has detrimental consequences for society, including increased polarization, conspiracy thinking, and mental health issues.
- The Problem with Algorithms:
- Algorithms are designed to maximize engagement, often prioritizing extreme content and conspiracy theories.
- They are blind to the potential harm they cause, leading to the spread of misinformation and the creation of echo chambers.
- The algorithms are constantly learning and evolving, making it difficult to predict or control their influence.
- Harris argues that the focus should not be on censorship, but rather on changing the fundamental design of these platforms.
- The Role of Technology Companies:
- Technology companies have a moral responsibility to consider the ethical implications of their products.
- Harris argues that companies have prioritized profit over societal well-being, leading to harmful consequences.
- They have created a “Frankenstein” that is difficult to control and potentially harmful to society.
- Harris believes that these companies have a responsibility to change their business models and adopt more humane practices.
- The Impact on Democracy:
- Social media platforms are becoming increasingly powerful forces in shaping public opinion and influencing elections.
- They are controlling the information we receive, which in turn influences our choices and decisions.
- This undermines democracy by eroding trust in institutions, fostering polarization, and hindering the ability to solve complex problems.
- Harris argues that we need to protect the “information commons” from manipulation and misinformation.
- The Importance of Critical Thinking:
- Social media promotes a culture of instant gratification and short-term thinking.
- It discourages critical thinking and encourages us to accept information at face value, without question.
- We need to be more aware of our own biases and the ways in which these platforms manipulate our emotions.
- Harris believes that developing our critical thinking skills is essential for navigating the digital world.
- The Need for Change:
- Harris argues that we need to shift from a “cannibalistic economy” to a more humane and sustainable model.
- This requires changing the business models of technology companies and creating new incentives for them to prioritize societal well-being.
- It also requires a cultural shift in how we think about and use technology.
- Harris believes that we need to be more intentional about the information we consume and how we engage with these platforms.
- The Role of Government:
- Harris believes that government regulation is necessary to protect the public from the harmful effects of social media.
- He advocates for a “carbon tax” on social media companies that prioritize attention extraction.
- He also believes that governments should invest in alternative social media platforms that prioritize human well-being.
- Harris believes that a more robust and ethical digital ecosystem is possible, but it will require a collective effort from individuals, governments, and technology companies.
- The Future of Technology:
- Harris expresses concern that technology will continue to become more pervasive and intrusive, with AI becoming increasingly capable of predicting and manipulating our behavior.
- He worries that we may eventually become so reliant on technology that we lose our sense of autonomy and free will.
- He believes that we are at a crossroads, where we must decide whether to continue down the path of mindless consumption or embrace a more humane and sustainable future.
- Harris believes that the future of technology depends on our ability to develop new values and create a society that prioritizes human well-being.
- The Power of Apple:
- Harris sees Apple as a potential leader in creating a more ethical and humane digital ecosystem.
- He praises Apple for its commitment to privacy and its efforts to limit data collection and tracking.
- He believes that Apple could create a social media platform that is not based on the attention extraction model.
- He urges Apple to take a more active role in shaping the future of technology.
- The Importance of Collective Action:
- Harris believes that a collective movement is necessary to address the challenges posed by social media.
- He encourages individuals to become more aware of the problem and take steps to reduce their reliance on these platforms.
- He also calls for families, schools, and communities to adopt new protocols for using technology.
- Harris believes that a global shift in how we think about and use technology is possible, but it will require a concerted effort from everyone.
- The Need for a New Vision:
- Harris calls for a new vision of technology that is not based on the pursuit of profit at all costs.
- He believes that we need to create a society where technology serves humanity, not the other way around.
- He encourages us to imagine a world where technology is used to solve problems, enhance our lives, and promote human well-being.
- Harris believes that a more humane and sustainable future is possible, but it will require a fundamental shift in how we think about technology.
Memorable Quotes
- “If you’re not paying for the product, you are the product. And the thing that is the product is your predictable behavior.” – This quote highlights the insidious nature of the social media business model.
- “We went from a high-quality gated process that cost a lot of money to this really crappy process that costs no money, which makes the company so profitable.” – Harris exposes the flaws in the free social media model.
- “These technology systems have taken control of human choice. They’re taking control of humanity because they’re controlling the information that all of us are getting.” – This quote underscores the power of these platforms to manipulate our minds.
- “We’re the only species that could even know that we’ve we’ve we’re doing this to ourselves.” – Harris highlights the unique capacity of humans for self-awareness and its importance in addressing these challenges.
- “How do you wake up from the matrix if you don’t know you’re in the matrix?” – This question, posed in the Social Dilemma, emphasizes the need to be aware of the forces shaping our reality.