This Is Technology Ethics cover image

This Is Technology Ethics

4 – Behaviour Change and Control

Oct 10, 2023
Brett Frischmann, a renowned scholar at the intersection of technology and behavior change, joins Evan Selinger, an expert on technology's societal impacts. They discuss how technology influences both individual behavior and societal norms, questioning whether we control technology or vice versa. The conversation covers the ethical dimensions of self-help and behavior modification, examining tools designed to foster habit change, while also raising concerns about autonomy and privacy. Their insights weave through philosophy's role in understanding behavior in the digital age.
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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Behavior change is fundamentally about cultivating new habits, emphasizing the challenge of sustaining positive patterns over time.
  • The historical philosophical exploration of control, particularly in the context of autonomy, provides essential insights into modern behavior change dynamics.

Deep dives

Understanding Behavior Change

Behavior change is primarily about establishing new habits and patterns of behavior rather than occasional actions. While many people have good and bad habits, the challenge lies in consistently adopting healthier behaviors. For example, someone may enjoy running but struggle to sustain that habit over time. True behavior change requires overcoming this difficulty and transforming fleeting experiences into lasting practices.

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