The Evolution of Technology and Human Behavior

What do technology, behaviour and data have in common? My guest, Paul Armstrong, runs a conference called TBD and is a thought leader in how the three topics interconnect. As technology becomes smarter and more pervasive, what does that mean for human decision-making and human risk?

Paul runs HERE/FORTH, an emerging technology advisory firm that works with a number of high-profile clients. As well as working in the technology industry in both the US and the UK, he has also written a book called "Disruptive Technologies” — the new revised version is just about to be published — and created the TBD Conference, an annual showcase of subjects relevant to technology, behaviour and data. In our discussion, Paul talks about how the conference came about.

To find out more about Paul, visit his website: https://www.paularmstrong.co.uk/

For more on TBD Conference: https://www.thetbdconference.com/ and the 2023 speakers: https://www.thetbdconference.com/speakers

To get 50% off ticket prices, use this exclusive link: https://www.universe.com/embed2/events/633466daac39cb002e4cfbb0?state=%7B%22currentDiscountCode%22%3A%7B%22code%22%3A%22TBDCONFHUMANRISK%22%7D%7D

To order Paul’s new book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Disruptive-Technologies-Practical-Understand-Disruption/dp/139860920X

For more on Paul’s “What Did Amazon Do This Week” subscription newsletter: https://whatdidamazondothisweek.substack.com/

Some of the things we mention on the show:

Desire Paths, where humans chose routes other than the ones designers intended: https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/oct/05/desire-paths-the-illicit-trails-that-defy-the-urban-planners

The Welsh example I refer to: https://www.reddit.com/r/therewasanattempt/comments/nvgxef/to_stop_people_walking_on_the_grass/

Affordances: https://danewesolko.medium.com/the-theory-of-affordances-cb51fd138b3e

The book ‘Winning Not Fighting’: https://www.winningnotfighting.com/

Behavioural Science guru Rory Sutherland. Here’s his first appearance on the show: https://www.humanriskpodcast.com/rory-sutherland-on-compliance/

Miss Yankey, the slam poet Paul invites to do readings at TBD: https://www.missyankey.com/

Sedition, digital art: https://www.seditionart.com/

Finally, to pre-order my new book, 'Humanized Rules: Bringing Behavioural Science to Ethics & Compliance', visit https://www.linktr.ee/humanizingrules. Keep your receipt, and you’ll get access to exclusive content and events.