What Kind of Technology Do We Want as a Society?

3min Snip

00:00

Play full episode

Summary

Transcript

Episode notes

The question isn't about facebook or yew tube. The question is, you know, we need to talk about computers. What kind of biases and values are built into computers themselves? Mumford's big concern is that these massive technological systems gradually remake society in their own image. So the question is, if we want to make society in a different image, then what technologies would be in that society? It's a different set of questions. it's a different way of approaching it.

Paris Marx is joined by Zachary Loeb to discuss the history of tech criticism with a focus on Joseph Weizenbaum and Lewis Mumford, as well as why the techlash is a narrative that suits Silicon Valley.

Zachary Loeb is a PhD candidate at the University of Pennsylvania whose dissertation research looks at Y2K. Follow Zachary on Twitter as @libshipwreck, and check out his Librarian Shipwreck blog.

🚨 T-shirts are now available!

Tech Won’t Save Us offers a critical perspective on tech, its worldview, and wider society with the goal of inspiring people to demand better tech and a better world. Follow the podcast (@techwontsaveus) and host Paris Marx (@parismarx) on Twitter, and support the show on Patreon.

Find out more about Harbinger Media Network at harbingermedianetwork.com.

Also mentioned in this episode: