Honestly with Bari Weiss Was the Internet a Horrible Mistake?
12 snips
Oct 13, 2021 
Jaron Lanier, a renowned computer scientist and philosopher, dives into the perils of today's internet landscape. He discusses how algorithms manipulate our reality and foster groupthink, while warning against the dangers of 'digital Maoism.' The conversation touches on the tension between capitalism and the proposed universal basic income, exploring how technology shapes our identities. Lanier calls for a more humane approach to tech that values authenticity over conformity, raising critical questions about how we navigate truth in an increasingly polarized digital world.
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Algorithms Shrink Our World
- Social media algorithms manipulate users by directing their attention instead of letting them explore.
- This manipulation makes the online world feel smaller and less expansive.
Centralized Power Corrupts
- Jaron Lanier disagrees with Andrew Yang's universal basic income approach.
- He believes it creates a centralized power susceptible to corruption, referencing the Bolsheviks and Stalinists.
AI Is Human Collaboration
- Lanier argues that AI is not truly independent but a product of human collaboration.
- He suggests compensating people for their contributions to algorithms, like CAPTCHA inputs.
