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Tech Won't Save Us

The Threat of Data Colonialism w/ Ulises A. Mejias & Nick Couldry

Oct 24, 2024
Ulises A. Mejias, a Communication Studies professor, and Nick Couldry, a Media, Communications, and Social Theory professor, dive deep into the unsettling parallels between data colonialism and historical exploitation. They discuss how big tech’s data extraction practices echo the oppressive strategies of colonial powers. The conversation highlights the impact of algorithmic bias on marginalized communities and urges listeners to advocate for digital sovereignty. They also explore the importance of community agency in resisting these tech-driven frameworks.
01:00:15

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Data colonialism mirrors traditional colonialism by exploiting human behavior and online activities for wealth and social control.
  • The construction of data centers exacerbates resource scarcity in disadvantaged communities, perpetuating a cycle of exploitation reminiscent of historical land grabs.

Deep dives

Understanding Data Colonialism

Data colonialism is defined as an emerging social order focused on appropriating human life through the extraction of digital data. This concept asserts that, while traditional colonialism was about land grabs and resource extraction, modern data colonialism involves seizing previously unquantified assets such as human behavior and data generated from online activities. The process results in the generation of wealth and social control, creating profound inequalities in the digital age. The authors emphasize that despite the positive aspects of data use, the appropriation methods lead to exploitation, indicating a critical need to understand the complexities behind data extraction.

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